Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates in a Multiethnic Population at a Community Hospital

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate exclusive breastfeeding (EB) rates in a multiethnic community population and study various factors that could influence selection of feeding method. STUDY DESIGN: Electronic medical records of 100 patients who delivered from January to August 2009 in a community hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who breastfed exclusively were compared with those whose children obtained some or all nutrition from bottle-feeding during the hospitalization immediately following delivery (NEB). Continuation rates at the infant's initial follow-up examination were assessed. RESULTS: The Asian populations had the highest EB (50%) and continuity rate. Single status and educational status were the only factors other than ethnicity found on univariate analysis to have an impact on the mode of feeding (p < 0.05). Employment, obesity, mode of delivery, birth weight, and sex of newborn did not have a significant effect on the type of feeding. Using multiple regression, only educational status had a significant association with exclusive breastfeeding, with an odds ratio of 2.1 (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: EB was not well accepted by non-Asian populations. Because educational level was associated with breastfeeding, ways of encouraging those with limited education to practice breastfeeding should be developed. (J Reprod Med 2011;56:195-198)