[Survey on breast-feeding initiation and potential impact factors in hospitals and birth centres in Berlin].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to collect information on and to evaluate the impact of the timing of first suckling and breast-feeding initiation in Berlin and to assess the practicability and acceptance of using a short questionnaire to collect breast-feeding data in hospitals and birth centres.


METHODS
A three-month observational study was conducted in 19 maternity units and 4 birth centres, using a short questionnaire to collect quantitative data on the timing of first suckling and breast-feeding from mother-child pairs on the day of discharge.


RESULTS
The data indicate a breast-feeding rate of 96.1% at discharge. Infants born in birth centres were more frequently put to their mother's breast within the first hour after birth (p<0.05), and were more frequently mainly (p<0.05) or exclusively (p<0.01) breast-fed at discharge than infants born in hospitals. Hospitals' breast-feeding policies (i.e., following the 'ten steps to successful breast-feeding') were not associated with a higher prevalence of early first suckling and any breast-feeding at discharge, but rather with exclusivity of breastfeeding (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Breast-feeding initiation rates are satisfactorily high in Berlin. Rates of early first suckling and (exclusive) initial breast-feeding are highest in birth centres. No consistent association was found between hospitals' breast-feeding policy and initial breast-feeding variables. The questionnaire was well accepted and is deemed suitable for monitoring purposes.
Weissenborn
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A
Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, Thielallee 88-92, Berlin. Anke.Weissenborn@bfr.bund.de
Martin
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A
Bergmann
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R
Dudenhausen
J W
JW
Przyrembel
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H
D000328:Adult; D016550:Birthing Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult