Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-k7p5g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-10T06:38:44.201Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Breastfeeding determinants and a suggested framework for action in Europe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2001

Agneta Yngve  and
Michael Sjöström
Agneta Yngve*
Affiliation:
Unit for Preventive Nutrition, Department of Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, SE 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
Michael Sjöström
Affiliation:
Unit for Preventive Nutrition, Department of Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, SE 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden Department of Physical Education and Health, University of Örebro, SE 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
*
*Corresponding author: Email agneta.yngve@prevnut.ki.se
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

This is a background paper for the EURODIET initiative. A number of international initiatives and documents were identified, such as the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and a number of consensus reports from professional groups, that propose ways forward for breastfeeding promotion. These point at a range of initiatives on different levels. The determinants for successful breastfeeding have to be identified. They can be categorised into five groups; socio-demographic, psycho-social, health care related, community- and policy attributes. A framework for future breastfeeding promoting efforts on European level is suggested, within which these determinants are considered.

A common surveillance system needs to be built in Europe, where determinants of breastfeeding are included. There is also a need for a surveillance system which makes it possible to use the collected data on local level, not only on national and supranational level. Combined with a thorough review of the effectiveness of already existing breastfeeding promotion programmes, a co-ordinated EU – EFTA action plan on breastfeeding should be formulated and implemented within a few years. Urgent action could take place in parallel, especially targeting young, low-income, less educated mothers.

Keywords

BreastfeedingInfant feedingMonitoringPrevalenceHealth policyHealth promotionDisease preventionEquityDeterminants
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 4 , Issue 2b , April 2001 , pp. 729 - 739
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 2001

References

1Kafatos, A, Codrington, C, Sjöström, M. Nutrition and diet for healthy lifestyles in Europe. A concerted action in public health nutrition. Scand J. Nutr. 1999; 43: 122–3.Google Scholar
2WHO/UNICEF. The Innocenti Declaration on the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. Geneva: WHO/UNICEF, 1990.Google Scholar
3WHO. Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding: the special role of maternity services – A Joint WHO/UNICEF Statement. Geneva: WHO, 1989.Google Scholar
4Saadeh, R, Akré, J. Ten steps to successful breastfeeding: A Summary of the Rationale and Scientific Evidence. BIRTH 1996; 23: 154–60.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk substitutes. Geneva: WHO/MCH/NUT/90.1, 1981.Google Scholar
6European Commission Directive 1991; 91/321/EEC. Brussels: EEC, 1991.Google Scholar
7European Council Directive 1992; 92/52/EEC. Brussels: EEC, 1992.Google Scholar
8European Council Resolution 1992; 92/C 172/01. Brussels: EEC, 1992.Google Scholar
9Statement of the Standing Committee on Nutrition of the British Paediatric Association. Is Breast feeding beneficial in the UK? Arch. Dis. Child 1994; 71 : 376–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10Yngve, A, Sjöström, M. Breast-feeding in the Nordic countries: Insufficient surveillance and co-ordination. Scand J. Nutr. 1999; 43: 153–7.Google Scholar
11American Academy of Pediatrics. Policy Statement; Breast- feeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics 1997; 100(6): 1035–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12Position of the American Dietetic Association: promotion ofbreast-feeding. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 1997; 97(6): 662–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010. Washington DC: Department of Health and Human Services, 2000.Google Scholar
14ILO. Maternity Protection Convention 2000. Geneva: ILO C183, 2000.Google Scholar
15Yngve, A, Sjöström, M. Breastfeeding in countries of the European Union and EFTA; Current and proposed recommendations, rationale, prevalence, duration and trends. Public Health Nutrition (this issue).Google Scholar
16Green, LW, Kreuter, MW. Health Promotion Planning: an Educational and Environmental Approach. (Second Ed.). Mountain View, Cal.: Mayfield, 1991.Google Scholar
17Michaelsen, KF, Sauer, LP, Lykke, TB, Samuelson, G. Ammeperiodens laengde – hvilke faktorer har betydning. Ugeskrift Laeger 1995; 137(16): 2311–5.Google Scholar
18Greiner, T. Factors associated with the duration of breastfeeding may depend on the extent to which mothers of young children are employed. Acta Paediatr. 1999; 88 : 1311–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19Roe, B, Whittington, LA, Fein, SB, Teisl, MF. Is there competition between breast-feeding and maternal employment? Demography 1999; 36(2): 157–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20Persson, LÅ, Samuelson, G, Johansson, E, Osland Johansson, JT. Vad äter svenska spädbarn? Läkartidningen 1982; 79(42): 3813–6.Google Scholar
21Grossman, LK, Fitzsimmons, SM, Larsen-Alexander, JB, Sachs, L, Harter, C. The infant feeding decision in low and upper income women. Clinical Pediatrics 1990; 29(1): 30–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22Buxton, KE, Gielen, AC, Faden, RR, Brown, CH, Paige, DM, Chwalow, AJ. Women intending to breastfeed: Predictors of early infant feeding experiences. Am. J. Prev. Med. 1991; 7: 101–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23Connolly, JA, Cullen, JH, MacDonald, D. Breastfeeding practice and factors related to choice of feeding method. Ir. Med. J. 1981; 74(6): 166–8.Google ScholarPubMed
24Jeffs, J. Why do mothers breast feed? Nurs. Times 1977; 73(24): 911–4.Google ScholarPubMed
25James, D. Breastfeeding in Manchester. Public Health 1981; 95(6): 334–43.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26Rogers, IS, Emmett, PM, Golding, J. The incidence and duration of breastfeeding. Early Hum Dev. 1997; 49(Suppl): 45–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27Haller, C, Simpser, E. Breastfeeding: 1999 Perspective. Current Opinion in Pediatrics 1999; 11: 379–81.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28Lindenberg, CS, Artola, RC, Estrada, VJ. Determinants of early infant weaning: a multivariate approach. 1990; Int. J. Nurs. Stud. 27(1): 35–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29Bick, DE, MacArthur, C, Lancashire, RJ. What influences the uptake and early cessation of breastfeeding? Midwifery 1998; 14(4): 5–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
30Scott, JA, Binns, CW, Factors associated with the initiation and duration of breastfeeding: a review. Breastfeeding Review 1999; 7(1): 5–16.Google ScholarPubMed
31Matthews, K, Webber, K, McKin, E, Banoub-Baddour, S, Laryea, M. Maternal infant-feeding decisions: reasons and influences. Can. J. Nurs. Res. 1998; 30(2): 177–98.Google ScholarPubMed
32Scott, JA, Binns, CW, Aroni, RA. The influence of reported paternal attitudes on the decision to breastfeed. J. Paediatr. Child Health 1997; 33(4): 305–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
33Sharma, M, Petosa, R. Impact of expectant father in breastfeeding decisions. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 1997; 97(11): 1311–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
34Matich, JR, Sims, LS. A comparison of social support variables between women who intend to breast or bottle feed. Soc. Sci. Med. 1992; 34(8): 919–27.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
35Maehr, JC, Lizarrage, JL, Wingard, DL, Felice, ME. A comparative study of adolescent and adult mothers who intend to breastfeed. J. Adolesc. Health 1993; 14(6): 453–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
36Lawson, K, Tulloch, MI. Breastfeeding duration: prenatal intentions and postnatal practices. J. Adv. Nurs. 1995; 22(5): 841–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
37Pierre, N, Emans, SJ, Obeidallah, DA, Gastelum, MA, DuRant, RH, King Moy, L, Hauser, ST, Paradise, J, Goodman, E. Choice of feeding method of adolescent mothers: does ego development play a role? J. Pediatr. Adolesc. Gynecol 1999; 12: 83–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
38Dungy, CI, Losch, M, Russell, D. Maternal attitudes as predictors of infant feeding decisions. J. Assoc. Acad. Minor Phys. 1994; 5(4): 159–64.Google ScholarPubMed
39Bacon, CJ, Wylie, JM. Mothers' attitudes to infant feeding at Newcastle General Hospital in summer 1975. BMJ 1976; 1: 308–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
40Wiemann, CM, DuBois, JC, Berenson, AB. Strategies to promote breastfeeding among adolescent mothers. Arch Pediatr. Adolesc. Med. 1998; 152(9): 862–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
41Williams, PL, Innis, SM, Vogel, AM, Stephen, LJ. Factors for influencing infant feeding practices of mothers in Vancouver. Can. J. Public Health 1999; 90(2): 114–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
42Hoddinott, P, Pill, R. Qualitative study of decisions about infant feeding among women in east end of London. BMJ 1999; 318: 30–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
43Matthews, K, Webber, K, McKin, E, Banoub-Baddour, S, Laryea, M. Maternal Infant feeding decisions: Reasons and influences. Can. J. Nurs. Res. 1998; 30(2): 177–98.Google ScholarPubMed
44Grossman, LK, Harter, C, Hasbrouck, C. Testing mothers' knowledge of breastfeeding and implementation and correlation with infant feeding decision. J. Pediatr. Perinat Nutr. 1990; 2(2): 43–63.Google ScholarPubMed
45Dennis, CL, Faux, S. Development and psychometric testing of the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale. Res. Nurs. Health 1999; 22(5): 399–409.3.0.CO;2-4>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
46Dennis, CL. Theoretical underpinnings of breastfeeding confidence: a self-efficacy framework. J. Hum Lact. 1999; 15(3): 195–201.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
47Kloeblen, AS, Thompson, NJ, Miner, KR. Predicting breastfeeding intention among low-income pregnant women: a comparison of two theoretical models. Health Educ. Behavi. 1999; 26(5): 675–88.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
48Barron, SP, Lane, HW, Hannan, TE, Struempler, B, Williams, JC. Factors influencing duration of breast feeding among low-income women. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 1988; 88(12): 1557–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
49Prochaska, JO, DiClemente, CC. Stages and processes of selfchange of smoking: toward an integrative model of change. J. Cons. Clin. Psych. 1983; 5: 390–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
50Perez-Escamilla, F, Pollitt, E, Lonnerdal, B, Dewey, KG. Infant feeding policies in maternity wards and their effect on breastfeeding success: An analytical overview. Am. J. Publ. Health. 1994; 84: 89–97.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
51Jaeger, MC, Lawson, M, Filteau, S. The impact of prematurity and neonatal illness on the decision to breastfeed. J. Adv. Nurs. 1997; 25(4): 729–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
52Novotny, R, Kieffer, EC, Mor, J, Thiele, M, Nikaido, M. Health of infant is the main reason for breast-feeding in a WIC population in Hawaii. J. Amer. Diet. Assoc. 1994; 94(3): 293–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
53Centuori, S, Burmax, T, Ronfani, L, Fragiacomo, M, Quintero, S, Pavan, C, Davanzo, R, Cattaneo, A. Nipple care, sore nipples and breastfeeding: a randomized trial. J. Hum Lact. 1999; 15(2): 125–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
54Hillervik-Lindquist, C. Studies on perceived breastmilk insufficiency. A prospective study in a group of Swedish women. Acta Paediatr. Scand 1991; 376(suppl): 1–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
55Quinn, AO, Koepsell, D, Haller, S. Breastfeeding incidence after early discharge and factors influencing breastfeeding cessation. J. Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1997; 26(3): 289–94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
56Chapman, DJ, Perez-Escamilla, R. Does delayed perception of the onset of lactation shorten breastfeeding duration? J. Hum. Lact. 1999; 15(2): 107–11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
57Evers, S, Doran, L, Schellenberg, K. Influences on breastfeeding rates in low income cmmunities in Ontario. Can. J. Publ. Health 1998; 89(3): 203–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
58Kiely, M, Drum, Ma, Kessel, W. Early discharge. Risks, benefits and who decides. Clin. Perinatol 1998; 25(3): 539–53.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
59Widström, AM, Ransjö-Arvidson, AB, Christensson, K, Mathiesen, AS, Winber, J, Uvnäs-Moberg, K. Gastric suction in healthy newborn infants. Effects on circulation and developing feeding behaviour. Acta Paediatr. Scand 1987; 76: 566–72.Google ScholarPubMed
60Zetterström, R. Breastfeeding and infant-mother interaction. Acta Paediatr. Suppl. 1999; 430: 1–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
61Christensson, K, Cabrera, T, Christensson, E, Uvnäs-Moberg, K, Winberg, J. Separation distress call in the human neonate in the absence of maternal body contact. Acta Paediatr. 1995; 84: 468–73.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
62Widström, AM, Wahlberg, V, Mathiesen, AS, Eneroth, P, Uvnäs-Moberg, K, Werner, S, Winberg, J. Short-term effects of early suckling and touch of the nipple on maternal behaviour. Early Human Develop. 1990; 21: 153–163.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
63Rajan, L. The contribution of professional support, information and consistent correct advice to successful breast feeding. Midwifery 1993; 9(4): 197–209.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
64Chalmers, JW. Variations in breast feeding advice, a telephone survey of community midwives and health visitors. Midwifery 1991; 7(4): 162–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
65Howard, C, Howard, F, Lawrence, R, Andresen, E, DeBlieck, E, Weitzman, M. Office prenatal formula advertising and its effect on breast-feeding patterns. Obstet. Gynecol 2000; 95(2): 296–303.Google ScholarPubMed
66Edwards, N, Sims-Jones, N, Breithaupt, K. Smoking in pregnancy and postpartum. Can. J. Nurs. Res. 1998; 30(3): 83–98.Google ScholarPubMed
67McIntyre, E, Turnbull, D, Hiller, JE. Breastfeeding in public places. J. Hum Lact. 1999; 15(2): 131–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
68Thompson, PE, Bell, P. Breast-feeding in the workplace: how to succeed. Issues Compr. Pediatr. Nurs. 1997; 20(1): 1–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
69Rodriguez-Garcia, R, Frazier, L. Cultural paradoxes relating to sexuality and breastfeeding. J. Hum Lact. 1995; 11(2): 111–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
70Martens, PJ. Prenatal infant feeding intent and perceived social support for breastfeeding in Manitoba first nations communities: a role for health care providers. Int. J. Circumpolar Health 1997; 56: 104–20.Google ScholarPubMed
71Helsing, E. Supporting breastfeeding: what governments and health workers can do – European experiences. Int. J. Gynec. Obstet. 1990; 31(suppl. 1): 69–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
72Naylor, A. Professional education and training for trainers. Int. J. Gyn. & Obstet. 1990; 31(suppl. 1): 25–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
73WHO Europe, Nutrition Unit. Nutrition Policy in WHO European member states. Copenhagen: WHO, 1995.Google Scholar
74WHO Regional Office for Europe, Headquarters and United Nations Children's Fund. Comparative Analysis of Implementation of the Innocenti Declaration in WHO European Member States. Geneva: WHO/UNICEF, 1998.Google Scholar
75Bruce, NG, Khan, Z, Olsen, ND. Hospital and other influence on the up take and maintenance of breastfeeding: the development of infant policy in a district. Public Health 1991; 105(5): 357–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
76Wright, A, Bauer, M, Naylor, A, Sutcliffe, E, Clark, L. Increasing breastfeeding rates to reduce infant illness at the community level. Pediatrics. 1998; 101(5): 837–44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed