This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Giovannini, M. Articles by Agostoni, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Giovannini, M. Articles by Agostoni, C. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Exclusive Versus Predominant Breastfeeding in Italian Maternity Wards and Feeding Practices Through the First Year of Life

Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan

Enrica Riva, MD

Department of Neonatal Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan

Giuseppe Banderali, MD

Department of Pediatrics and head of the Pediatric Day-Hospital, San Paolo Hospital, Milan

Michela Salvioni, MD

Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, Milan

Giovanni Radaelli, PhD

University of Milan

Carlo Agostoni, MD

University of Milan

Determinants of exclusive versus predominant breastfeeding in the maternity ward and the relationship with later feeding practices were investigated in 1656 mothers who breastfed exclusively or predominantly in the maternity ward. Mothers were interviewed through 12 months postdelivery about feeding practices. Information about the World Heath Organization’s (WHO’s) 10 steps was collected. At hospital stay, breastfeeding was predominant in 43% of infants. Cesarean section (odds ratio [OR] = 1.75), mother’s overweight (OR = 1.74), and non-compliance with the WHO’s steps 6 (OR = 1.58), 7 (OR = 1.43), and 8 (OR = 1.76) were determinants of predominant, as opposed to exclusive, breastfeeding. Mothers exclusively, rather than predominantly, breastfeeding in the hospital showed a longer duration of full breastfeeding (mean = 3.6 vs 3.1 months), later introduction of formula (3.8 vs 3.3 months), and lower rate of introduction of formula within 1 month (23% vs 30%). Hospitals need to be compliant with the WHO’s steps, and Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives should be promoted.

Key Words: duration of breastfeeding • exclusive breastfeeding • predominant breastfeeding • formula milk • solid foods

Journal of Human Lactation, Vol. 21, No. 3, 259-265 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0890334405277898


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Declercq, M. H. Labbok, C. Sakala, and M. O'Hara Hospital Practices and Women's Likelihood of Fulfilling Their Intention to Exclusively Breastfeed Am J Public Health, May 1, 2009; 99(5): 929 - 935. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. N. Haiek, D. L. Gauthier, D. Brosseau, and L. Rocheleau Understanding Breastfeeding Behavior: Rates and Shifts in Patterns in Quebec J Hum Lact, February 1, 2007; 23(1): 24 - 31. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. Mannel and R. S. Mannel Staffing for Hospital Lactation Programs: Recommendations From a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital J Hum Lact, November 1, 2006; 22(4): 409 - 417. [Abstract] [PDF]