Breast feeding initiation and duration: comparison of French and German mothers.
BACKGROUND
approximately 56% of babies in France are breast fed at birth compared with approximately 91% in Germany. Few studies have compared these neighbouring countries despite the similarities in their social systems.


OBJECTIVE
to compare breast-feeding initiation and duration from birth to 3 months post partum between French and German mothers, as well as reasons for breast-feeding cessation in the first 3 months.


METHODS
mothers were contacted twice during the study: immediately after childbirth and at 3 months post partum.


METHODS
126 French mothers were recruited during their maternity stay in hospital, and 80 German women were recruited by their midwives and contacted via regular mail. All women were primiparous.


METHODS
breast-feeding rates at birth and 3 months post partum were collected and compared. In addition, reasons for breast-feeding cessation in the first 3 months were explored and analysed.


RESULTS
96% of German women initiated breast feeding at birth and 83% were still breast feeding at 3 months post partum. In comparison, 67% of French women initiated breast feeding at birth and 34% were still breast feeding at 3 months post partum.


CONCLUSIONS
there is a need for postnatal follow-up care for French mothers who breast feed. Follow-up care available for German mothers shows encouraging results.
Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches en Psychopathologie, Université de Toulouse II-le Mirail, 5, allées Antonio Machado-31058 Toulouse Cedex 9, France. vwalburg@yahoo.fr
Vera
V
Walburg
Maja
M
Goehlich
Marlene
M
Conquet
Stacey
S
Callahan
Axel
A
Schölmerich
Henri
H
Chabrol
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult