RECENT TRENDS IN BREAST‐FEEDING IN SOUTHERN FINLAND

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Abstract
A retrospective study on breast-feeding (BF) during 1962-1977 was performed for the province of Uusimaa, Finland. The study was based on 35,815 child health records kept by community health centers. Information was entered in 76% of the records; the percentage improved from 52 to 94 during the study period. The average duration of BF declined steadily from 2.3 mo. in 1962 to 1.7 in 1971, increasing thereafter to 3.6 months by the end of the study. A similar pattern of slow decline turning to a sharp rise by 1971 is seen in the percentage of mothers beginning BF and various time categories of nursing. The observed increase in BF is due to changing general attitudes which are influenced by international trends and campaigning by health authorities. Social benefits also play a role as the increase in BF coincides with extensions of maternity leave from 2 to 7 mo. in the 1970s. A favorable response to efforts promoting BF is indicated; these efforts should be continued and intensified.

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