[Exclusive and mixed breastfeeding in a maternity unit in France, 2003]

To assess how exclusive and mixed breastfeeding varied depending on the characteristics of the mother, the newborn, and place of birth.

A national representative sample of births included 14,580 live births. During the hospital stay, mothers were asked if the infant was exclusively breastfed, breast and bottle-fed (mixed), or only bottle-fed. The factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding and those associated with mixed breastfeeding were compared using a multinomial logistic regression model.

Of the women studied, 56.3% breastfed exclusively and 6.3% used mixed breastfeeding. Exclusive and mixed breastfeeding were higher among primiparous, non-French, and highly educated women. Non-French nationality had a stronger effect on mixed breastfeeding than on exclusive breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 9.9 and 5.2, respectively, among women from North Africa). A high level of education played a greater role in exclusive breastfeeding (aOR, 2.5) than mixed breastfeeding (aOR, 1.8). Breastfeeding was higher in the Ile-de-France, East, Central-East, and Mediterranean regions, with stronger variations in mixed breastfeeding than in exclusive breastfeeding.

Clear social disparities in exclusive and mixed breastfeeding exist depending on maternal social class and nationality, and region of birth. Particular breastfeeding promotion actions could target groups or regions where women are less likely to breastfeed.