How baby-friendly are Manitoba hospitals? The Provincial Infant Feeding Study

The Breastfeeding Promotion Steering Committee of Manitoba conducted che cr oss-sectional Provincial Infant Feeding Study in 1996 to examine: correlati ons between breastfeeding policies and actual practices in Manitoba hospita ls; compliance with Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) criteria; and associations between hospital practices and two-week breastfeeding duration . Three separate surveys obtained information from administrators concerning hospital policy; nursing staff concerning hospital practices; and all women giving birth in a five-week period, concerning breastfeeding rates and mat ernal perceptions of hospital practices. The results highlighted the need f or policy and practice changes to comply with BFHI criteria. 92% initiated breastfeeding, and 84% were breastfeeding at two weeks postpartum. Independ ent predictors of weaning included: in-hospital supplementation (adjusted R R = 2.1, 95% CI 1.02-4.36, p=0.04); temporarily interrupting breastfeeding while in hospital (adjusted RR = 4.9, 95% CI 2.7-8.9, p=0.0001); no previou s breastfeeding experience (adjusted RR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.4, p=0.002); an d Grade 12 or less maternal education (adjusted RR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.5, p =0.01).