Y J Kelly1, R G Watt. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess breast-feeding initiation and rates of exclusive breast-feeding for the first 6 months after birth, and to examine social class differences in breast-feeding rates. DESIGN: First sweep of a longitudinal population-based survey, the Millennium Cohort Study. SETTING: Four countries of the UK. SUBJECTS: Subjects were 18 125 singletons born over a 12-month period spanning 2000-01. Data were collected by parental interview on the initiation of breast-feeding and exclusivity at 1, 4 and 6 months after birth. RESULTS: Overall breast-feeding was initiated for 71% of babies, and by 1, 4 and 6 months of age the proportions being exclusively breast-fed were 34%, 3% and 0.3%, respectively. There were clear social class differences and mothers with routine jobs with the least favourable working conditions were more than four times less likely (odds ratio (OR) 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-0.29) to initiate breast-feeding compared with women in higher managerial and professional occupations. Women in routine jobs were less likely to exclusively breast-feed their infants at 1 month (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.36-0.50) and 4 months (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.31-0.77) compared with women in higher managerial and professional occupations. CONCLUSIONS: Clear social class differences in breast-feeding initiation and exclusivity for the first 4 months were apparent in this large UK sample. By 6 months, less than 1% of babies were being exclusively breast-fed. A co-ordinated multi-faceted strategy is required to promote breast-feeding, particularly among lower-income women.
OBJECTIVES: To assess breast-feeding initiation and rates of exclusive breast-feeding for the first 6 months after birth, and to examine social class differences in breast-feeding rates. DESIGN: First sweep of a longitudinal population-based survey, the Millennium Cohort Study. SETTING: Four countries of the UK. SUBJECTS: Subjects were 18 125 singletons born over a 12-month period spanning 2000-01. Data were collected by parental interview on the initiation of breast-feeding and exclusivity at 1, 4 and 6 months after birth. RESULTS: Overall breast-feeding was initiated for 71% of babies, and by 1, 4 and 6 months of age the proportions being exclusively breast-fed were 34%, 3% and 0.3%, respectively. There were clear social class differences and mothers with routine jobs with the least favourable working conditions were more than four times less likely (odds ratio (OR) 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-0.29) to initiate breast-feeding compared with women in higher managerial and professional occupations. Women in routine jobs were less likely to exclusively breast-feed their infants at 1 month (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.36-0.50) and 4 months (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.31-0.77) compared with women in higher managerial and professional occupations. CONCLUSIONS: Clear social class differences in breast-feeding initiation and exclusivity for the first 4 months were apparent in this large UK sample. By 6 months, less than 1% of babies were being exclusively breast-fed. A co-ordinated multi-faceted strategy is required to promote breast-feeding, particularly among lower-income women.
Authors: Jonathan C K Wells; Olof H Jonsdottir; Patricia L Hibberd; Mary S Fewtrell; Inga Thorsdottir; Simon Eaton; Alan Lucas; Geir Gunnlaugsson; Ronald E Kleinman Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2012-05-16 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Meghan B Azad; Theodore Konya; Heather Maughan; David S Guttman; Catherine J Field; Radha S Chari; Malcolm R Sears; Allan B Becker; James A Scott; Anita L Kozyrskyj Journal: CMAJ Date: 2013-02-11 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Kate E C Grimshaw; Burcu Aksoy; Anna Palmer; Katharine Jenner; Erin M Oliver; Joe Maskell; Terri Kemp; Keith D Foote; Graham C Roberts; Basma Ellahi; Barrie M Margetts Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2013-06-18 Impact factor: 3.092
Authors: Néstor Nuño Martínez; Jordyn Wallenborn; Daniel Mäusezahl; Stella M Hartinger; Joan Muela Ribera Journal: Int J Equity Health Date: 2021-07-16