Predictors of breastfeeding exclusivity among migrant and C anadian‐born women: results from a multi‐centre study

The objective of this study was to examine and compare predictors of breastfeeding exclusivity among migrant and C anadian‐born women. As part of a longitudinal study, a sample of 1184 mothers were recruited from 12 hospitals in C anada and completed questionnaires at 1 and 16 weeks post‐partum that included diverse questions from the following domains: demographic, social, migration, obstetrical, breastfeeding and maternal mood. After bivariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis was completed to examine and compare predictors of exclusive breastfeeding at 16 weeks post‐partum. Among migrant women, factors predictive of breastfeeding exclusivity included non‐refugee immigrant or asylum‐seeking status, residence in T oronto or V ancouver, maternal age of ≥35 years, feels most comfortable in the country of origin or nowhere and higher G ender‐related D evelopment I ndex of the country of origin. Factors predictive of not exclusively breastfeeding included maternal age of <20 years, not planning to exclusively breastfeed, not making the decision to breastfeed before pregnancy and not exclusively breastfeeding at 1 week post‐partum. Among C anadian‐born women, factors predictive of a lower likelihood of breastfeeding exclusivity included not living with father of infant, infant neonatal intensive care unit admission, planned duration of exclusive breastfeeding for <6 months, not exclusively breastfeeding at 1 week post‐partum and E dinburgh P ostnatal D epression S cale score of ≥10. The only similar risk factor predicting a lower likelihood of breastfeeding exclusivity between migrant and C anadian‐born women was not exclusively breastfeeding at 1 week post‐partum; all other risk factors were dissimilar, suggesting that these groups might benefit from different strategies to optimise breastfeeding outcomes.