The prevalence and determinants of breast-feeding initiation and duration in a sample of women in Ireland.
OBJECTIVE
To assess breast-feeding initiation and prevalence from birth to 6 months in a sample of mothers in Dublin, and to determine the factors associated with breast-feeding initiation and 'any' breast-feeding at 6 weeks in a sample of Irish-national mothers.


METHODS
This prospective cross-sectional study involved the recruitment of women during the antenatal period, with subsequent follow-up of mothers who delivered healthy, term singleton infants, at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from antenatal clinics in the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin.


METHODS
In all, 401 Irish-national and forty-nine non-Irish-national mothers met the criteria for inclusion in the present study.


RESULTS
Breast-feeding initiation rates of the Irish-national and non-Irish-nationals were 47% and 79.6%, respectively. Factors that were significantly (P = 0.000) associated with both breast-feeding initiation and 'any' breast-feeding at 6 weeks included mothers who were >or=35 years, educated to third level, reported positive postnatal encouragement to breast-feed from their partners and had a positive antenatal intention to breast-feed. The maternal negative perception that breast-feeding is an embarrassing way to feed an infant was demonstrated as a major barrier to initiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Breast-feeding initiation and prevalence rates of the Irish-national population remain low and lag considerably behind national and international targets. Inclusion of the partner in breast-feeding promotional initiatives during the antenatal period may be crucial to increase breast-feeding rates in Ireland. Public health campaigns that focus on increasing the social acceptability of breast-feeding may prove effective in addressing this cultural barrier.
Tarrant
Roslyn C
RC
School of Biological Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
Younger
Katherine M
KM
Sheridan-Pereira
Margaret
M
White
Martin J
MJ
Kearney
John M
JM
D000367:Age Factors; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007494:Ireland; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D049590:Postpartum Period; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors