Prevalence and determinants of breastfeeding: the Zorrotzaurre study

Introduction and objectives: breastfeeding (BF) is a feeding method that provides multiple benefits for the health of infants and their mothers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BF during the first year of life of children of women who gave birth in a private clinic in Biscay, Basque Country, Spain, and to identify the facilitating determinants and reasons for abandonment. Method: an observational, descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study in a random sample of 453 newborns (NBs) recruited between 2016 and 2017. Results: in all, 366 women agreed to participate in all the study phases. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was 51.7 % at baseline, 77.1 % at discharge, and 21.6 % after sixth months; and that of BF, 87.1 % at the beginning, 48.4 % at month six, and 20.6 % at one year. The facilitating factors of EBF were: at the beginning, not using a nest or breast pump; 15 days of satisfaction with LM and not using a pacifier or breast pump; 4 months of satisfaction with LM; 6 months attending Lactation Support Groups (GAL) and not introducing complementary feeding (CA); and those of LM at 1 year, attending GAL. The main reasons for abandonment were: own initiative, incorporation to work, and little weight gain by the NB. Conclusions: one in 5 newborns received EBF up to 6 months and BF up to one year. It would be necessary to promote strategies that favor breastfeeding, such as eliminating the nest, advising against breast pumps and pacifiers at the beginning, starting CA from the sixth month, and organizing GALs during the first year.