Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the influence of breastfeeding support on breastfeeding rates in the city of Pelotas (RS), Brazil. Methods: The prevalence rates of exclusive breastfeeding and of overall breastfeeding were compared in four cohorts of children, born in 1982, 1993, 1997-1998 and 2004. The children selected for this study fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the WHO Multicenter Growth Reference Study, in order to afford comparison with the 1997-1998 cohort, which was made up of children selected for that study. The 1997-1998 cohort received systematic breastfeeding support. Results: There was an increase in the rates of exclusive breastfeeding: from 26% at 1 month of age in 1993 to 77% at the same age in 2004, and from 16% at 3 months to 46% for the same dates, respectively. Breastfeeding rates at later ages exhibited a tendency to increase, although with less significance: from 15% in 1982 at 12 months to 34% in 2004 at the same age, and from 6% at 24 months to 14% for the same dates, respectively. Conclusions: Breastfeeding support has contributed to a tendency for breastfeeding rates to increase.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 560-564 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Jornal de Pediatria |
Volume | 84 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health