Factors influencing the feeding of first-born infants

Influences on the choice and use of an infant feeding method by primigravidae were studied from late pregnancy until six months after delivery. Data were collected by home interviews and postal questionnaires, and from hospital case-notes. Three-quarters of the women had chosen a method before their first hospital visit and most adhered to their choice. Mothers named midwives and health visitors more often than other health professionals as appropriate for discussions about feeding. However, there was little evidence of the influence of health professionals apart from an association between hospital feeding practices and duration of breast feeding. The major influences on mothers were socio-cultural. Findings suggest that breast feeding can be encouraged by a wide dissemination of information, by enabling mothers to discuss feeding with their preferred professional, by respecting an early choice of method, and by encouraging demand feeding which should begin soon after delivery.