Early formula supplementation and breastfeeding duration (131.4)

Abstract

Objective: To describe how supplementation with infant formula in the first two days (F2D) of life is associated with breastfeeding duration in a nationally representative sample of US births.Methods: We analyzed data from the 2010 birth cohort of the National Immunization Survey. Among infants breastfeeding at 2 days (n=6636), we described prevalence of breastfeeding at 3, 6, and 12 months, by whether the infant received formula in the F2D. We used separate logistic regression models to describe how 2 day supplementation was associated with breastfeeding at each time point, adjusting for maternal socio‐demographic characteristics.Results: Among breastfeeding infants, 24.2% had been supplemented with formula in the F2D. Infants who had not received formula in the F2D were more likely to be still breastfeeding at 3 (83.8% vs. 75.7%), 6 (67.8% vs. 52.3%), and 12 (37.8% vs. 26.7%, all p<0.01) mo. In adjusted analyses, breastfeeding infants who did not receive formula in the F2D had increased odds of breastfeeding at 3 (OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.10), 6 (OR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.53, 2.35), and 12 (OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.28, 2.05) mo.Conclusion: Early supplementation of breastfeeding infants with formula may contribute to earlier cessation of breastfeeding. Improved hospital and professional support may help reduce early supplementation of breastfeeding infants, and thus improve rates of breastfeeding duration.