Prevalence and duration of breast-feeding in Manitoba.
The rate of breast-feeding in the first 3 months post partum was studied in a group of 456 mothers. At 3 months 58% had been or still were breast-feeding their infants. The mothers who breast-fed were older, had a higher level of education, had a higher socioeconomic status, and were more likely to live on farms or in small towns, to have attended prenatal education classes and to have previously breast-feds. There were no significant differences between the method of feeding and the sex or birthweight of the infant, the maternal weight/height ratio or the participation of the father in the prenatal education classes. At 1 month 45% of the infants, at 2 months 35% and at 3 months 28% were being breast-fed. Public programs to promote breast-feeding as normal, beneficial and satisfying to both mother and infant are necessary so that more mothers will attempt to breast-feed their infants. Support for continuance of breast-feeding is needed in the hospital as well as in the home and the community.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba; D008423:Maternal Age; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors