title: Factors Associated with Recurrent Infant Feeding Practices in Subsequent Births.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous breastfeeding experience has been associated with subsequent infant feeding practices. However, few longitudinal studies have investigated formula-only feeding patterns or the full range of potentially associated characteristics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the recurrence of infant feeding practices and maternal, birthing, and infant characteristics associated with recurrent formula-only feeding and changes between exclusive breastfeeding and formula-only feeding across subsequent births.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a population-based record-linkage study of 317 027 mothers, with a term singleton live-birth in 2007-2011, New South Wales, Australia. Infant feeding patterns were described using sequential birth pairs. For mothers with a first and second birth, robust Poisson regression was used to investigate the association between maternal, birthing, and infant characteristics and infant feeding patterns. Combined relative risks (RRs) were calculated for selected maternal characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Across 69 994 sequential birth pairs, the recurrence rate of formula-only feeding was 71%, and 92% for exclusive breastfeeding. Maternal characteristics < 25 years old, being Australian born or single, smoking during pregnancy, and living in lower socioeconomic areas were most strongly associated with repeat formula-only feeding (RR, 22.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.6-26.3), changing from exclusive breastfeeding to formula-only feeding (RR, 9.0; 95% CI, 7.4-10.7), and being less likely to change from formula-only feeding to exclusive breastfeeding (RR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.38-0.59).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infant feeding practices were strongly recurrent, highlighting the importance of successful breastfeeding for first-time mothers. Additional support for young mothers from disadvantaged backgrounds accounting for infant feeding history, experiences, and common barriers could improve recurrent exclusive breastfeeding and positively affect infant and maternal health.
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinical and Population Perinatal Health Research, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Jason P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinical and Population Perinatal Health Research, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bond
authors.affiliation: 2 North Shore Ryde Health Service, Royal North Shore Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Vroome
authors.affiliation: 3 Royal North Shore Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinical and Population Perinatal Health Research, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|4 Menzies Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nassar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011247:Pregnancy
keywords: birth order; breastfeeding; infant formula; medical record linkage; risk factors