Effect of a prenatal nutritional intervention program on initiation and duration of breastfeeding.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate initiation and duration of breastfeeding of infants born to mothers who participated in the Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) program. Factors affecting the initiation and the early cessation of breastfeeding were also explored.


METHODS
Twenty-five pregnant women participating in the ECI program completed this prospective study. At 36 weeks' gestation, a questionnaire was administered to assess socioeconomic status, intention to breastfeed and breastfeeding experience. When the infants were three and six months of age, feeding practices were assessed with a questionnaire.


RESULTS
The breastfeeding initiation rate was 62.5%. At one and three months postpartum, exclusive breastfeeding rates were 39% and 4%, respectively. At six months, none of the women was exclusively breastfeeding. Primiparity, prenatal classes, having been breastfed and intention to breastfeed at 36 weeks' gestation were positively associated with breastfeeding initiation. Father's education, intention to breastfeed at 36 weeks' gestation, no water or formula given to the infant during hospitalization and higher maternal hemoglobin level at 36 weeks' gestation were positively associated with the duration of breastfeeding.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of initiation and duration of breastfeeding for ECI participants were low. To achieve successful interventions, it is important to target modifiable factors known to influence the initiation and duration of breastfeeding within this population.
Ecole des Sciences des Aliments, de Nutrition et d'Etudes Familiales, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB.
Gisèle
G
Léger-Leblanc
France M
FM
Rioux
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors