Initiation and duration of breastfeeding in obstetric hospitals of Aix-Chambery (France)

Our objectives were to estimate duration of breastfeeding and to identify f actors associated with initiation and weaning. Methods.-A prospective study was carried out among 353 mothers delivering i n three obstetric hospitals at Aix-Chambery (Savoie, France). Breastfeeding was considered as survival data with censored observations. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results.-Breastfeeding was initiated by 70.8% (66.1-75.5) (exclusive breast feeding = 39.9% and complementary breastfeeding = 30.9%,). Respectively, 58 .1% (52.9-63.3) and 12.2% (8.3-16.1) were continuing some breastfeeding at one and six months. The median duration of breastfeeding was 13 weeks (11.6 -14.4). Shorter duration was associated with contact beyond one hour from b irth (adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] = 1.25 [1.03-1.52] and with contact beyon d eight hours aHR = 1.78 [1.66-1.92]), pacifier use (aHR = 1.72 [1.19-2.47] ), breastfeeding at fixed hours (aHR 1.78 [1.29-2.45]), and decision to bre astfeed during pregnancy or the postpartum period (aHR 1.70 [1.45-2.00]). Conclusion.-Breastfeeding initiation and duration were higher in maternity hospitals of Chambery than estimations measured in the 1998 French perinata l survey and in other ad hoc surveys. Identified factors should be used in order to plan future programs designed to increase duration of breastfeedin g. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.