title: Infant milk feeding practices in the Netherlands and associated factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to describe infant feeding practices and associated factors, and to explore mothers' main reasons for starting and stopping breastfeeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a national inquiry into milk feeding practices among 9133 Dutch infants aged < 7 mo by means of a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  78% of mothers initiated breastfeeding. At 1 and 4 mo, respectively, 51 and 25% of infants were fed primarily on human milk; after 6 mo, only 15% of mothers still provided human milk as the only source of milk feeding. During the whole 6-mo period, another 11 to 18% was fed on both breast and formula milk. Women initiating breastfeeding were more likely to be higher educated, have a higher-educated partner, be non-smokers, have a full-time job, and be primiparous. In addition, breastfeeding initiation rate was higher for women born outside the Netherlands. Longer duration of breastfeeding was mostly found amongst higher-educated, non-smoking women. The odds for continuation of breastfeeding after 4 mo increased when mothers' working hours did not exceed 16 h/wk. Infant delivery at home was associated with a higher initiation rate as well as longer duration of breastfeeding compared to hospital delivery. Infants born after 38 wk of gestation, with a birthweight of 3500 g had higher odds to be breastfed for a longer period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only a minority of Dutch infants is breastfed for 6 mo. Maternal and infant characteristics are important predictors of breastfeeding initiation and duration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, Netherlands Organization of Applied Scientific Research (TNO) Prevention and Health, Box 2215, 2301 CE Leiden, the Netherlands. ci.lanting@pg.tno.nl
authors.forename: Caren I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Lanting
authors.forename: Jacobus P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Van Wouwe
authors.forename: Sijmen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Reijneveld
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003657:Decision Making; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006700:Home Childbirth; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D009426:Netherlands; D012907:Smoking