| pubmed-article:3496525 | pubmed:abstractText | Rates of breast-feeding were studied in collectives of 998 mothers (Dortmund) and 500 mothers (Haltern) in two large maternity wards encouraging breast-feeding. In both hospitals the collectives were representative for the population in the surrounding region. Mothers were asked to take part in the study as they were admitted. Response rates were 99%. Age and parity of mothers in Dortmund were in agreement with population statistics, whereas in the Haltern collective there was a smaller proportion of younger mothers. The collective in Haltern had a slight edge with respect to social background. The different types of delivery had the same percentages in both wards. Birthweight was on the average 100 g higher in Haltern neonates. There were no differences in mean length. In both wards feeding on demand was practised during the rooming-in period during daytime, whereas at night infants were bottle-fed on demand in the infant's room. In Haltern supplementary formula feeding was offered more liberally. In Dortmund 92%, in Haltern 97% of the mothers tried to breast-feed; only 5% and 2% respectively were unsuccessful. Mothers who did not want to breast-feed (8% and 3% respectively) rarely mentioned relevant obstacles as a reason for their decision. On discharge 80-90% of the mothers were breast-feeding, with only about one half of them fully breast-feeding. Caesarean section was hardly detrimental to initiation of breast-feeding, but often to success. | lld:pubmed |
