Title
Ethnic variation in infant-feeding practices in the Netherlands and Weight Gain at 4 months
Author
Bulk-Bunschoten, A.M.W.
de Pasker-Jong, P.C.M.
van Wouwe, J.P.
de Groot, C.J.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2008
Abstract
This prospective study of 4438 infants (0-4 months) examined differences in infant-feeding patterns in relation to the ethnic origin of their mothers, based on the mother's native language: Dutch (87%), Turkish (4%), Moroccan (3%), other European languages (3%), and various other languages (4%). Breastfeeding at birth varied between 75% and 94%. Dutch and Moroccan mothers breastfed for a shorter period (32% and 37% at 4 months, respectively) than did Turkish mothers and mothers with a native European language other than Dutch (47% and 51% at 4 months, respectively; P > .001). Of all mothers, 71% started exclusive breastfeeding at birth, and 21% continued exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4 months. The reasons why mothers discontinued breastfeeding (both exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding) were generally infant related. The average weight gain between birth and day 133 was 3.45, 3.87, and 3.69 kg for Dutch, Turkish, and Moroccan infants, respectively. Weight gain was influenced by ethnicity of the mothers and exclusive breastfeeding. © 2008 International Lactation Consultant Association.
Subject
Health
Breastfeeding
Infant feeding
Maternal ethnicity
The Netherlands
Adult
Artificial milk
Birth
Language ability
Maternal attitude
Newborn
Newborn care
Secondary analysis
Child Development
Cohort Studies
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant Care
Infant, Newborn
Male
Morocco
Netherlands
Prospective Studies
Turkey
Weight Gain
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:fe29fc49-d396-4c69-bc91-0a347e38fe0d
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334407311338
TNO identifier
240615
ISSN
0890-3344
Source
Journal of Human Lactation, 24 (1), 42-49
Document type
article