Exclusive versus predominant breastfeeding in Italian maternity wards and feeding practices through the first year of life.
Determinants of exclusive versus predominant breastfeeding in the maternity ward and the relationship with later feeding practices were investigated in 1656 mothers who breastfed exclusively or predominantly in the maternity ward. Mothers were interviewed through 12 months postdelivery about feeding practices. Information about the World Heath Organization's (WHO's) 10 steps was collected. At hospital stay, breastfeeding was predominant in 43% of infants. Cesarean section (odds ratio [OR] = 1.75), mother's overweight (OR = 1.74), and non-compliance with the WHO's steps 6 (OR = 1.58), 7 (OR = 1.43), and 8 (OR = 1.76) were determinants of predominant, as opposed to exclusive, breastfeeding. Mothers exclusively, rather than predominantly, breastfeeding in the hospital showed a longer duration of full breastfeeding (mean = 3.6 vs 3.1 months), later introduction of formula (3.8 vs 3.3 months), and lower rate of introduction of formula within 1 month (23% vs 30%). Hospitals need to be compliant with the WHO's steps, and Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives should be promoted.
Giovannini
Marcello
M
Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Italy.
Riva
Enrica
E
Banderali
Giuseppe
G
Salvioni
Michela
M
Radaelli
Giovanni
G
Agostoni
Carlo
C
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015285:Hospital-Patient Relations; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods; D007225:Infant Food; D041943:Infant Formula; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009725:Nurseries, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D014944:World Health Organization