Health care provider support and factors associated with breastfeeding beyond infancy: A cross-national study

Background Breastfeeding beyond infancy (12 months) remains atypical in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, and the role of health care providers is unclear. The objective of this study was to compare women's perceptions of provider support and other factors affecting breastfeeding beyond infancy across countries, among women who had each successfully breastfed at least one child that long. Methods Women completed an online questionnaire distributed via La Leche League, USA (2013), about sources and ratings of support for breastfeeding for their oldest child who was breastfed at least 12 months and participant demographics. Multivariable log-binomial regression was used to compare ratings of health care provider support and the importance of 13 factors by country. Results Some similarities and many differences were observed across countries in support received from providers, whereas modest or no differences were observed in the importance women placed on factors like health benefits and enjoyment of breastfeeding. Of 59 581 women, less than half discussed their decision to breastfeed beyond infancy with their child's provider. United Kingdom women rated their comfort in discussing breastfeeding beyond 12 months with their providers and the support received as lower than United States women. Canadian women gave lower ratings than United States women, but inconsistently. Australian women rarely differed from United States women in their responses. Providers' recommendations were not important to the decision to breastfeed beyond infancy, especially for United Kingdom women. Discussion Rates of breastfeeding beyond infancy are low in these countries; improving provider support may help achieve global breastfeeding goals.

Automated summary

Breastfeeding beyond infancy is not common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, and there are differences in the support women receive from healthcare providers across these countries. However, factors like health benefits and enjoyment of breastfeeding were found to be consistently important to women in these countries, regardless of nationality. Providers' recommendations were not a significant factor in the decision to breastfeed beyond infancy, particularly for women in the United Kingdom. Improving provider support may help increase rates of breastfeeding beyond infancy and achieve global breastfeeding goals.