The prediction of choice in infant feeding: a study of primiparae.

A random sample of 617 white Caucasian primiparae was identified from notifications made to the Leeds Area Health Authority over a 12-month period. Of these, 534 were interviewed regarding personal characteristics, events during pregnancy, and their experience of infant feeding. Significant associations between these factors and the mode of infant feeding initially used are described.From discriminant analysis of two half-populations, weightings were derived for each significantly associated variable, and discriminant scores were calculated for each participant. The distributions of these scores were similar in both half-populations, suggesting that the weightings were stable and thus have potential predictive importance. Further analysis showed that, from all the significant variables, the choice of two (maternal age-group at confinement and age at leaving school) correctly predicted 79 per cent of mothers who will choose to bottle-feed. The potential clinical yield of using these two factors is discussed, and a simple predictive tool for use in everyday practice is presented.