Breastfeeding practices and associations with pregnancy, maternal and infant characteristics in Australia: a cross-sectional study

International Breastfeeding Journal

Research

Melanie Williams¹  Julianne McKie²  Milly Licata³  Belinda Tully⁴  Melanie Kingsland⁵  Christophe Lecathelinais⁵  Clare Desmet⁵  Renee Reynolds⁵  Jenna Hollis⁵  John Wiggers⁵  Justine Daly⁵  Emma Doherty⁵  Eva Farragher⁵ 

[1] Maternity Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Armidale, NSW, Australia;Maternity Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia;Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Locked Bag 10, 2287, Wallsend, NSW, Australia;Hunter Medical Research Institute, 2305, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia;Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Locked Bag 10, 2287, Wallsend, NSW, Australia;School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia;Gomeroi Nation, NSW, Australia;Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Locked Bag 10, 2287, Wallsend, NSW, Australia;School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia;Hunter Medical Research Institute, 2305, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia;

关键词: Breastfeeding cessation;    Exclusive breastfeeding;    Australia;    Postnatal period;    Determinants;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13006-023-00545-5

 received in 2022-09-13, accepted in 2023-01-10,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding to six months of age is a major global public health priority. Several characteristics are known to be associated with early cessation of breastfeeding, however, limited evidence exists regarding whether women’s reported reasons for cessation are associated with maternal, pregnancy and infant characteristics. The aims of this study were to: i) describe women’s reported intention to breastfeed and their subsequent breastfeeding practices; ii) describe women’s reported reasons for breastfeeding cessation prior to the infant being five months of age; and iii) examine associations between these factors and maternal, pregnancy and infant characteristics.MethodsTelephone and online surveys were conducted between October 2019 and April 2020 with 536 women who had given birth in the previous eight to 21 weeks at four public maternity services in Australia.ResultsThe majority of women intended to (94%), and did, initiate (95%) breastfeeding. At the time the survey was conducted, 57% of women were exclusively breastfeeding. Women who: had less than University level education, had a pre-pregnancy BMI in the overweight or obese category, and who smoked tobacco at the time of the survey had lower odds of exclusively breastfeeding. The most common self-reported reasons for breastfeeding cessation were breastfeeding challenges (47%) and low milk supply (40%). Women aged 26–35 years and 36 + years had greater odds of reporting breastfeeding cessation due to low milk supply (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.11, 7.66; OR = 5.57, 95% CI: 1.70, 18.29) compared to women aged 18–25 years. While women who had completed a TAFE certificate or diploma had lower odds of reporting this as a reason for breastfeeding cessation (OR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.73) compared to women who had University level education. There were no other significant associations found between characteristics and reasons for ceasing breastfeeding.ConclusionsThe most common reasons for breastfeeding cessation may be modifiable through the provision of breastfeeding support in the early postpartum period, with such support being tailored to women’s age and level of education. Such support should aim to increase women's self-efficacy in breastfeeding, and be provided from the antenatal period and throughout the first six months postpartum.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Crown 2023

【 图 表 】

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