K I Graham1, J A Scott, C W Binns, W H Oddy. 1. School of Medicine, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. k.graham@curtin.edu.au
Abstract
AIM: To report updated rates of breastfeeding in Perth through 2002/3 and to compare them to those from 1992/3. DESIGN: A 12-mo longitudinal study. SETTING: Two public maternity hospitals in Perth, Australia. SUBJECTS: Eligible mothers of healthy newborn infants delivered between mid-September 2002 and mid-July 2003. INTERVENTIONS: All eligible mothers were asked to participate in a 12-mo longitudinal study of infant feeding. While in hospital, participating mothers completed a questionnaire that included questions on how they were feeding their newborn. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Prevalence of ever breastfeeding, and breastfeeding at discharge. RESULTS: A total of 587 mothers, or 55% of those eligible, participated in the study. At hospital discharge, 93.8% of mothers in 2002/3 were breastfeeding compared with 83.8% in 1992/3. Significant increases were observed across all socio-demographic groups, with the biggest increase seen amongst younger mothers and those born outside of Australia. The national target of having in excess of 90% of mothers breastfeeding at discharge from hospital has been achieved in Perth. The challenge for health professionals and the community is to help maintain and further improve these breastfeeding practices.
AIM: To report updated rates of breastfeeding in Perth through 2002/3 and to compare them to those from 1992/3. DESIGN: A 12-mo longitudinal study. SETTING: Two public maternity hospitals in Perth, Australia. SUBJECTS: Eligible mothers of healthy newborn infants delivered between mid-September 2002 and mid-July 2003. INTERVENTIONS: All eligible mothers were asked to participate in a 12-mo longitudinal study of infant feeding. While in hospital, participating mothers completed a questionnaire that included questions on how they were feeding their newborn. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Prevalence of ever breastfeeding, and breastfeeding at discharge. RESULTS: A total of 587 mothers, or 55% of those eligible, participated in the study. At hospital discharge, 93.8% of mothers in 2002/3 were breastfeeding compared with 83.8% in 1992/3. Significant increases were observed across all socio-demographic groups, with the biggest increase seen amongst younger mothers and those born outside of Australia. The national target of having in excess of 90% of mothers breastfeeding at discharge from hospital has been achieved in Perth. The challenge for health professionals and the community is to help maintain and further improve these breastfeeding practices.