Physicians as mothers: breastfeeding practices of physician-mothers in Newfoundland and Labrador

To determine the initiation rate and duration of breastfeeding among female physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador, and to identify demographic factors that might influence duration of breastfeeding in this population.

Mailed survey.

Newfoundland and Labrador.

One hundred eighty licensed female physicians.

Self-reported initiation of breastfeeding for each baby born, duration of breastfeeding in number of months, and reasons for ending breastfeeding.

The response rate was 68%. The breastfeeding initiation rate among respondents was 96.6%. More physicians who graduated in 1980 or later breastfed for longer periods (63.9% vs 33.3%, P = .008). More family doctors than specialists breastfed their babies for longer periods (65.5% vs 33.3%, P = .004). More physicians whose partners were working part-time breastfed for longer periods than physicians whose partners were working full-time (83.3% vs 50.8%, P = .037). Other factors, such as age, income, maternity leave and benefits, part-time or full-time work, and urban or rural practice, did not affect duration of breastfeeding. Personal issues accounted for 51% of respondents' ending breastfeeding; baby issues accounted for 38%, practice issues for 33%, medical school issues for 4%, and societal issues for 1%.

The breastfeeding initiation rate among female physician respondents in Newfoundland and Labrador was 96.6%; more than 50% of these physicians breastfed for longer than 7 months. Physicians graduating in 1980 or later breastfed their babies for longer.