Current maternal attitudes to infant feeding methods

Abstract

Summary Mothers' feeding practices and their attitudes to breast and bottle feeding were investigated. Sixty-four per cent started to breast feed and 35% continued past 2 months, a continuation rate which is higher than previously reported. Also higher than previously reported was the proportion of working class women breast feeding. This may reflect a current trend. Most women decided on their infant feeding technique early in pregnancy, and 80% followed that decision. For those who changed their minds about feeding practice postnatally, and for those who were initially undecided, the hospital was influential. Analysis of women's attitudes revealed that primiparous women found breast feeding more pleasurable and less restricting than they had anticipated. The results are discussed in relation to attempts to encourage breast feeding.