Breastfeeding rates and duration in Germany: a Bavarian cohort study

• Published in: British journal of nutrition 2008-05, Vol.99 (5), p.1127-1132
• Main Authors: Kohlhuber, Martina, Rebhan, Barbara, Schwegler, Ursula, Koletzko, Berthold, Fromme, Hermann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Attitude to Health; attitudes and opinions; Bavarian Breastfeeding Study; Biological and medical sciences; Breast feeding; Breast Feeding - psychology; Breast Feeding - statistics & numerical data; Breast milk; Breastfeeding; Breastfeeding & lactation; childbirth; cohort studies; Education; Educational Status; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Germany; Health promotion; Health Promotion - methods; Humans; Infant; Infant nutrition; Infant, Newborn; Infants; Male; Middle Aged; Mothers; premature birth; prevalence; Prospective Studies; Public health; Questionnaires; Social Class; social partnerships; Socioeconomic factors; socioeconomic status; Socioeconomics; spouses; Time Factors; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114508864835

Breastfeeding is the recommended feeding for all healthy infants. The aim of our study was to assess the current state of breastfeeding prevalence, duration and behaviour in Bavaria, Germany as a basis for targeting breastfeeding promotion measures. The Bavarian Breastfeeding Study is a prospective cohort study of 3822 mothers who delivered in April 2005 in Bavaria, Germany. Breastfeeding duration and determinants such as socioeconomic status, attitudes towards breastfeeding, birth mode and breastfeeding problems were assessed by questionnaires 2–6 d after birth and 2, 4, 6, and 9 months after birth. The initial breastfeeding rate was 90 %. After 4 months 61 % still breastfed (any breastfeeding). In the multivariate analyses the main influencing factor reducing breastfeeding initiation was the partner's negative attitude towards breastfeeding (OR 21·79; 95 % CI 13·46, 35·27). No initial breastfeeding was also associated with lower education, maternal grandmother's negative attitude and pre-term birth. Protective factors were primary breastfeeding experience and information on breastfeeding before birth. Breastfeeding duration