Factors influencing the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding in Germany: results of the KiGGS study: first follow up (KiGGS Wave 1)

Abstract

Breastfeeding is the natural way of feeding infants in the first months of their lives and has been proven to have health benefits for both infants and mothers. Breastfeeding initiation and duration are affected by social, demographic and health factors. The aim of this study was to describe the current rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration in Germany, and to identify potential factors that underline these rates. Additionally, results are compared with the KiGGS basic (2003-2006; birth cohorts 1996-2002) study in order to reveal the development in the trends of breastfeeding initiation and duration in Germany. The KiGGS wave 1 (2009-2012) includes data on the breastfeeding behavior of mothers of 4410 children aged between 0 and 6 years (birth cohorts 2002-2012). Altogether, 82% (95% confidence interval 79.8-84.2 %) of children were ever breastfed, and the average breastfeeding duration was 7.5 months (7.2-7.8). There was a slight increase in the breastfeeding initiation in Germany over the last several years. Breastfeeding initiation among children aged 0-6 years increased by 4% points compared to 0- to 6-year-olds (birth cohorts 1996-2002) from the KiGGS basic study. The breastfeeding duration stayed unchanged. The breastfeeding behavior was mainly related to the age of the mother at birth, the mother's education level, smoking during pregnancy, and multiple or premature birth. Despite the overall increasing trend in breastfeeding initiation, there is still a growing need for breastfeeding promotion and support for young and less educated mothers, mothers who smoke during pregnancy, and also for mothers with premature babies or multiple births.