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  • Title: Breast feeding practice and factors related to choice of feeding method.
    Author: Connolly JA, Cullen JH, MacDonald D.
    Journal: Ir Med J; 1981 Jun; 74(6):166-8. PubMed ID: 7287381.
    Abstract:
    The attempt was made to determine the incidence of breast feeding and to examine selected factors related to choice of method of feeding in a sample of 143 volunteer postpartum mothers at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin. A questionnaire was administered by the senior nurse on duty in each of the postnatal units of the hospital on the 4th day following delivery. 64 of the mothers were breast feeding on the 4th postpartum day; 79 were bottle feeding. 6 mothers had tried to breast feed but for various reasons had substituted bottle feeding. The 2 groups of breast and bottle feeding mothers were compared. There were no significant differences between the groups in regard to maternal age, duration of labor, birthweight, and gestation. Parity and age both parents left school significantly differentiated the 2 groups. The major reason for choosing bottle feeding over breast feeding was a dislike of the idea of breast feeding (38%), followed by bottle feeding which was regarded as more convenient (24%). Breast feeding was significantly positively associated with neonatal jaundice occurring within the first 4 days of life. Primiparous mothers were significantly more likely to breast feed, and mothers with 5 or more children were more likely to bottle feed. Mothers with 2-4 children divided evenly in regard to choice of feeding method. Breast feeding was significantly associated with higher social class and higher-level occupation. Early school leaving age for both parents (before age 16) was assignificantly associated with the choice of bottle feeding. Breast feeding mothers were home owners in 84.4% of the cases, and bottle feeding mothers in 62.3% of the cases. The current findings are certainly an indictment of professional and population attitudes towards breast feeding.
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