Breastfeeding Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Breastfeeding, including details on breast feeding benefits, problems, alcohol, diet.

Breast-feeding in Athens, Greece: factors associated with its initiation and duration.

Theofilogiannakou M, Skouroliakou M, Gounaris A, Panagiotakos D, Markantonis SL

Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, examine the influence of hospital practices and investigate potential determinants of breast-feeding in Athens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred twelve mothers provided information regarding feeding practices at certain maternity hospitals in Athens, at 40 days and 6 months postpartum. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the initiation and maintenance of breast-feeding and potential risk factors. RESULTS: Although almost 90% of newborn infants were given a breast milk substitute one or more times during the first 2 days at the maternity hospital, the exclusive breast-feeding percentage on the last day of hospital stay reached 85%. Breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding percentages dropped to 55% and 35%, respectively, at 40 days postpartum and to 16% and 12%, respectively, at 6 months postpartum. While in the hospital, 3% of mothers initiated breast-feeding within 1 hour of labor, only 34% were informed about the advantages of breast-feeding by health professionals and 42% were trained to breast-feed by the midwives. "Rooming-in" was not practiced in the private hospitals. The educational level was positively associated with the initiation of breast-feeding [odds ratio (OR): 1.36, confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.81], the mother's body mass index was negatively associated with the maintenance of breast-feeding for 40 days (OR: 0.56, CI: 0.32-0.98) and 6 months (OR: 0.28, CI: 0.06-1.26) and a caesarean section was negatively associated with the initiation (OR: 0.24, CI: 0.11-0.49) and maintenance of breast-feeding (OR: 0.42, CI: 0.20-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Breast-feeding is not appropriately supported in certain maternity hospitals in Athens, and this is probably the cause of observed low breast-feeding prevalence.

Published 6 September 2006 in J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 43(3): 379-84.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Breastfeeding Research Today. All Rights Reserved.