Breastfeeding prevalence among six-week-old infants at University Hospital of the West Indies.

ABSTRACT

Eight-five (85) mothers attending postnatal and well baby clinics were interviewed at six weeks post-partum regarding breastfeeding. An overall prevalence of 98.8% at six weeks of age was seen, with an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 37.6%. Older maternal age and multiparity favoured exclusive breastfeeding. There was no significant association between pattern of breastfeeding (exclusive versus partial) and employment or union status. Breastfeeding was found to favour good weight gain in normal birthweight babies. Normal birthweight babies who were exclusively breastfed had a higher mean weight gain than the exclusively breastfed low birthweight infants, who in turn had better weight gain when partially breastfed.

ABSTRACT

PIP 85 mothers attending postnatal and well baby clinics at the University Hospital of the West Indies were interviewed during August 1995 at 6 weeks postpartum regarding breast feeding. 98.8% of mothers breastfed their babies, although only 37.6% did so exclusively. Older maternal age and multiparity favored exclusive breast feeding. No significant association was found between pattern of breast feeding and employment or union status. Breast feeding was found to favor good weight gain in normal-birth-weight babies, with normal-birth-weight babies who were exclusively breastfed having a higher mean weight gain than the exclusively breastfed low-birth-weight babies. These latter babies had better weight gain when partially breastfed.