BREAST-FEEDING 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 C anada. Information on feeding practices and family background was obta ined from parents of 434 nine-month-old infants by questionnaire and d iet history. The overall rate of breastfeeding initiation was 82.9%, b ut this differed significantly between Caucasian (91.6%) and non-Cauca sian (56.8%) mothers. Introduction of solid foods occurred at ages con sistent with CPS recommendations, but only 18.2% of mothers still brea stfed at nine months' postpartum. Breastfeeding practices were signifi cantly associated with the mothers' marital status, education and fami ly income. Women who were single, had no post-secondary education, or had a family income of less than $30,000 were least likely to breastfe ed, or to do so for longer durations. The development of educational a nd support systems to encourage longer breastfeeding among different e thnic and socioeconomic groups should be a priority for infant nutriti on initiatives.