Abstract
The main aim of this study was to evaluate how well expectant mothers were informed on breastfeeding by healthcare professionals. The secondary objective was to determine the factors associated with the initiation of breastfeeding. The survey was conducted in a group of 500 women who had delivered at the Angers Hospital (France), based on a questionnaire filled out by the postpartum women during their hospital stay. The rate of breastfeeding was 61.2%. More than a quarter (26.9%) of the women did not receive any prenatal breastfeeding information. The survey showed that 77.8% of the women had been informed of breastfeeding advantages for infants and 51.5% of breastfeeding advantages for themselves. Only 27.5% had received the advice of exclusive breastfeeding for 6months. Only 5.2% had been informed of the uselessness of breast preparation during pregnancy and a minority had been informed of correct and incorrect breastfeeding contraindications. Only 15.4% of fathers had been involved in a discussion on infant feeding practices during prenatal consultations. Only 4.8% of the women had come to prenatal classes on breastfeeding with a relative. The maternal factors positively associated with breastfeeding initiation were age between 25 and 34 years, non-French origin, a high socioeconomic status, being married, having been breastfed, and having previous experience with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding initiation was negatively associated with maternal smoking. All the factors concerning prenatal breastfeeding information in women were associated with the choice of breastfeeding. This study pointed out the populations at risk of not breastfeeding. Breastfeeding information given to pregnant women by healthcare professionals may influence them on whether or not they choose to breastfeed their newborn. However, this survey showed that women are insufficiently informed on prenatal breastfeeding. Therefore, prenatal breastfeeding information should be improved.
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