title: Breastfeeding surveyed using routine data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to investigate breastfeeding as a health indicator through routine data registered at public child health centres. The prevalence and course of breastfeeding were surveyed, as well as factors that affect breastfeeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Breastfeeding status at six weeks and six months of age and other routine data were systematically recorded in a newly developed electronic medical records system (Health Profile 0-20 years) for infants attending public child health centres in Bergen in the period 2010-11. This information was linked to data from the Medical Birth Registry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 6,093 infants, 73.6% were exclusively breastfed at six weeks of age and 18.9% at six months. In adjusted analyses, there was an association between breastfeeding cessation before six months and the factors smoking, low maternal age, marital status as single, unsatisfactory family situation and social network, and birth weight under 2,500 g. Attendance at a specialist breastfeeding centre and uncertain/abnormal sleep patterns in infants were associated with continued breastfeeding after six months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The medical records system «Health Profile 0-20 years», linked to the Medical Birth Registry, was well suited to studying factors that can affect breastfeeding. Mothers and infants with increased need for follow-up were identified.
authors: Helsestasjons- og skolehelsetjenesten i Årstad Bergen kommune.
authors: Maren-Kristin
authors: MK
authors: Halvorsen
authors: Institutt for sykepleiefag Avdeling for helse- og sosialfag Høgskolen i Bergen.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Langeland
authors: Byrådsavdeling for helse og omsorg Bergen kommune.
authors: Grethe
authors: G
authors: Almenning
authors: Uni Research Helse.
authors: Siren
authors: S
authors: Haugland
authors: Institutt for global helse og samfunnsmedisin Universitetet i Bergen.
authors: Lorentz M
authors: LM
authors: Irgens
authors: Barneklinikken Haukeland universitetssykehus og Klinisk institutt 2 Universitetet i Bergen.
authors: Trond
authors: T
authors: Markestad
authors: Institutt for sykepleiefag Avdeling for helse- og sosialfag Høgskolen i Bergen.
authors: Ragnhild
authors: R
authors: Sollesnes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002657:Child Development; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D008423:Maternal Age; D010298:Parity; D012042:Registries; D012847:Single Person / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012890:Sleep; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors