Socioeconomic status and breastfeeding rates

A recent study looking at the rates of breast feeding initiation and duration in Australia over the last 10 years (1995-2004/5) has found that while overall rates have stayed the same, they are lower in lower socioeconomic than higher socioeconomic groups. In other words, disadvantaged families are less likely to breast feed.

Data was derived from National Health Surveys undertaken  by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The rates of breast feeding at birth, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months in 1995 were 86%, 63.1%,46.6% and 21.3%. In 2004/5  they were 87.8%, 64.4%, 50.4% and 23.3%.Examination of the data according to socioeconomic status revealed that while the proportion of infants breast fed at 6 months in the lowest socioeconomic groups had remained about the same between  1995-2004/5, (37.7%vs 37.1%) breast feeding rates in the highest socioeconomic groups had increased (53.1% vs 66%). Across the ages 3-12 months, breast feeding rates increased for those in the highest socioeconomic groups while rates in the lowest socioeconomic groups remained unchanged.

Women from lower socioeconomic groups are less likely to breast feed because of lack of family support, negative attitudes about breast feeding in public, the difficulty in seeking help with feeding problems and working conditions. These women also tend to be younger and less educated.  More effort needs to be directed at promoting the benefits of breast feeding and  the acceptance of breast feeding in public  to these lower socioeconomic group mothers as well as setting up peer support groups to assist them with breast feeding.

Reference:

Amir LH, Donah SM. Socioeconomic status and rates of breastfeeding in Australia:evidence form three recent national health surveys. Med J Aust 2008;18(5);254-256