Breastfeeding and weaning practices in Vancouver.

This study describes infant feeding practices in Vancouver during the first nine months after birth, as compared with the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) guidelines and results of studies from other parts of Canada. Information on feeding practices and family background was obtained from parents of 434 nine-month-old infants by questionnaire and diet history. The overall rate of breastfeeding initiation was 82.9%, but this differed significantly between Caucasian (91.6%) and non-Caucasian (56.8%) mothers. Introduction of solid foods occurred at ages consistent with CPS recommendations, but only 18.2% of mothers still breastfed at nine months' postpartum. Breastfeeding practices were significantly associated with the mothers' marital status, education and family income. Women who were single, had no post-secondary education, or had a family income of less than $30,000 were least likely to breastfeed, or to do so for longer durations. The development of educational and support systems to encourage longer breastfeeding among different ethnic and socioeconomic groups should be a priority for infant nutrition initiatives.