Breast-feeding in southern Catalonia. Epidemiological analysis of sociocultural and health factors influencing choice and duration
Hostalot Abás, A.M.; Sorní Hubrecht, A.; Jovaní Roda, L.; Rosal Roig, J.; Mercé Gratacòs, J.; Iglesias Niubó, J.; Ariño Cedo, F.; Castillo Herrera, T.; López Sánchez, M.J.; Monllao Garcia, C.; Querol Vidal, M.P.; Arasa Subero, M.; Ríos Alcolea, M.
Anales Espanoles de Pediatria 54(3): 297-302
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0302-4342 PMID: 11262260 Document Number: 533311
Objective: To study the incidence and prevalence of breast feeding and to determine the factors that influence the mother's decision to breast feed or to use adapted milk. Material and methods: Two hundred families were included in a survey conducted in the maternity department of the Hospital de Tortosa Virgen de la Cinta, Tarragona, Spain, in April 1998. Those who breast fed were followed up by means of a telephone call on days 15, 30, 90 and 180. Results: On leaving hospital 78% of the neonates were receiving breast milk only. After 15 days, 89.7% of the neonates continued to receive breast milk and at 6 months this figure was 39%. Breast feeding was discontinued after a mean of 2.5 months. The mean age of mothers who breast fed was 30.2 years and that of mothers using adapted milk was 27.9 years (P<0.05). Mothers decided on the type of feeding before pregnancy (52.5%). This decision was unchanged by prenatal information except in the case of information provided by the family, especially if both parents were breast fed (P<0.05). Doctors provided little information. The mother's level of education did not influence the decision to breast feed although the higher the mother's education, the greater the tendency to breast feed (74.7% with primary education vs 81.5% with higher education). Being in paid employment did not influence the decision to breast feed (76% of mothers who worked vs 79% of mothers who did not). The main reasons for discontinuance were hypogalactia, "feeling hungry", and work. In general, giving up breast feeding was the mother's decision. Conclusions: The information pregnant women receive on breast feeding should be based on unified criteria. The implementation of joint protocols between primary and hospital care as well as breast feeding support groups help mothers begin and continue breast feeding.