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[Breast feeding and smoking--a study at a health center]
1Grorud helsesenter, Oslo.
Insights
Maternal smoking significantly reduces breast-feeding duration. Non-smoking mothers, particularly those of non-European origin, breast-fed longer, highlighting the impact of parental habits on infant nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- Breast-feeding is crucial for infant health.
- Parental lifestyle factors, including smoking, may influence feeding practices.
- Cultural background can also play a role in infant feeding decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal smoking and breast-feeding duration.
- To explore the impact of cultural origin on breast-feeding and smoking habits.
- To analyze feeding practices at multiple infant developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study involving 361 infants and 605 consultations.
- Data collection through parental questionnaires on breast-feeding, smoking, and cultural origin.
- Follow-up at six weeks, three months, six months, and one year of age.
Main Results:
- Breast-feeding rates declined significantly over the first year (83% at 6 weeks to 15% at 1 year).
- Maternal smoking was prevalent, increasing from 28% at 6 weeks to 37% by 3 months.
- Smoking mothers breast-fed for shorter durations compared to non-smoking mothers.
Conclusions:
- Maternal smoking is inversely associated with sustained breast-feeding.
- Non-European mothers showed protective factors, including non-smoking and longer breast-feeding durations.
- Public health initiatives should address parental smoking to support optimal infant nutrition and breast-feeding practices.
Abstract:
361 infants were seen at a total of 605 consultations at a child health centre. The aim was to study the relationship between breast-feeding practice and parental smoking at about six weeks, three months, six months and one year of age. The parents were questioned about breast-feeding, cigarette smoking and cultural origin. At the respective ages 83, 63, 45 and 15% of the infants were breast-fed. The fraction of 58 non-European mothers who breast-fed their children was not significantly lower than in our own culture. None of these mothers smoked, and their children more often had a home environment not involving exposure to tobacco. Compared with infants of non-smoking European women, a significantly lower fraction of children of non-European origin were breast-fed at six months of age, but not at six weeks and three months. Smoking was common in 40% of the mothers when the infant was six months or older. Between six weeks and three months after birth the fraction of smoking mothers increased from 28 to 37%. A significantly lower fraction of smoking mothers than of non-smoking ones breast-fed their infants between the age of three months and one year.