[Breast feeding among autochthonous and allochthonous mothers in Amsterdam, 1992-1993]

To investigate whether breast feeding is related to family type, family size, maternal education, maternal occupational status and ethnic origin.

Descriptive study.

Six child health centres in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

In the period 1992-1993 the feeding practices of 961 children of 3 months were investigated by interviewing their mothers.

In Amsterdam 21% of infants were exclusively breast-fed, 15% of infants were breast and formula fed and 64% of infants were exclusively formula fed. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, breast-feeding was associated with mother's educational level and ethnic origin. The breast feeding rate was 49% for mothers with a high education and 26% for mothers with a low education. Among Dutch mothers the frequency of breast-feeding was 37%, and among Surinam, Moroccan and Turkish mothers the frequencies of breast feeding were 16%, 34% and 43% respectively.

These results suggest that besides socioeconomic factors cultural factors also play a part in the breast feeding practices of mothers. To promote breast feeding culture-based perceptions with respect to feeding and nursing of infants should be considered.