Breastfeeding at 6 months and effects on infections.

The aim was to examine the pattern of and the influence of some sociodemographic factors on infant milk feedings and the protective role of breast-feeding against infections. Mothers who breast-fed their infants (exclusively or partially) at 6 weeks postpartum and who had singleton pregnancies and healthy infants at birth were interviewed when their infants had reached 6 months of age. Of the 234 mothers studied only 31 (13%) mothers were practicing exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) and 133 (57%) mothers were using exclusive infant formula feeding (EIF). Solid and semi-solid foods were introduced between 4-6 months of life in 89% of the infants. On logistic regression analysis mothers who were in paid employment [OR 0.25 95% CI 0.15 0.42] and not breast- feeding at 6 weeks [OR 0.32 95% CI 0.19 0.54] had decreased odds of EBF. Antenatal plans to breast-feed breast-feeding difficulties ethnicity level of parental education parental ages fathers’ income primigravida status and infants’ gender were not significant co-variates. In comparison EIF was more likely in mothers who worked practiced mixed feedings at 6 weeks and of Chinese descent. There were no significant differences in the rates of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) or diarrheal illnesses between the infants who were or were not being breast-fed. Most mothers were unable to breast-feed their infants exclusively in the recommended first 4-6 months of life. Complementary changes outside the hospital and maternity services are essential in improving breast-feeding rates. Breast-feeding does not appear to confer significant protection to either URTI or gastrointestinal tract infections. (authors)