Recorded presentation

Lisa S Weiss, MPH, Epidemiology, Columbia University, CCCEH, 100Haven Ave., #25F, New York, NY 10032, 212-304-5594, sallylederman@aol.com, Sally Ann Lederman, PhD, Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Columbia University, 100 Haven Ave. #25F, New York, NY 10032, and Frederica Perera, DrPH, Columbia Center for Children's Enviornmental Health, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032.

Breastfeeding (BF) practices were determined in 329 pregnant women enrolled Dec. 2001-June 2002 in a study of the effects of the World Trade Center (WTC) attack. Enrollees included those who lived close to and far from the WTC site. Women (N=291) were interviewed at or after 165 days (5.5 mo) postpartum about their infant feeding practices. Questions determined initiation of BF, exclusive BF, partial but regular BF and their durations through 165 days. 76% women breastfed at least once; 43.3% breastfed exclusively for at least one week. Both exclusive BF and any BF declined steadily.

More than 60% of those BF on day 1 were mixed feeding. By 135 days (3.5 months) both exclusive and regular BF rates had declined by half (between 120-135 days for exclusive BF, and between 135-145 days for regular BF, respectively). BF initiation rates were highest in Blacks (100% of 42), Whites (92% of 123), other/unidentified, who were mostly of Hispanic origin, (88.9% of 27), and Asians (43% of 98). Many Asian mothers sent their babies back to China, which limited their ability to breastfeed.

Although BF rates on the first postpartum day met the targets (75%) for the year 2010, most BF women were not exclusively BF at that time. Exclusive BF is recommended until at least 4 months; 60% of the women were not exclusively BF at 1 month, and less than 25% of the women were exclusively BF at 4 months. Factors associated with BF initiation and duration will be described.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session the listener will be able to (1)distinguish between exclusive and regular breastfeeding, (2)describe the pattern of decline in each of these during the first 6 months postpartum in this cohort, and (
• identify some factors that determine breastfeeding duration.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Healthy People 2000/2010

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation