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. 2024 Jul 31;11(8):932.
doi: 10.3390/children11080932.

Increase in Breastfeeding Rates in Baby-Friendly Hospitals in Greece: Comparison with the National Study of 2017

Evangelos Christou  1 , Eftychia Liakou  1 , Abraham Pouliakis  2 , Rozeta Sokou  1 , Paraskevi Volaki  1 , Styliani Paliatsou  1 , Theodora Boutsikou  1 , Nicoletta Iacovidou  1 , Zoi Iliodromiti  1
Affiliations

Increase in Breastfeeding Rates in Baby-Friendly Hospitals in Greece: Comparison with the National Study of 2017

Evangelos Christou et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

Background/objectives: The primary purpose of this study was to correlate the factors influencing the onset and duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and breastfeeding (BF) rates at different time points in baby-friendly hospitals (BFHs) in Greece.

Methods: This study was conducted from October 2020 to January 2022. The sample consisted of 1201 mothers with corresponding newborn births out of the total 7201 that took place during the same period. We used a questionnaire that the mothers answered during the first hour after birth, before being discharged from the maternity hospital, and at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th month of the infant's life. The results were compared with the data of the national study from 2017 (concerning births from general maternity hospitals and not only from BFHs).

Results: The EBF rate within 1 h after birth was 71.3%, which gradually declined to 21.2% in the 6th month. Between the two studies, differences were recorded in BF and EBF rates at the 6th and 4th month of the infants' life, respectively, especially in mothers who are less likely to breastfeed (e.g., those without breastfeeding experience, those over 40 years old, etc.).

Conclusion: This study showed that EBF and BF rates are higher in infants born in BFHs compared to non-BFHs both during their hospitalization in the first days of life and during the first 6 months of life. BFHs also play a decisive role in mothers who, due to their socio-economic profile, have lower chances of starting to breastfeed.

Keywords: baby-friendly hospital; exclusive breastfeeding; neonate.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant flow.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Rates of EBF and BF at different study points at BFHs in Greece.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparison of BF rates at six months between our study and the 2017 national study based on various factors of influence on breastfeeding.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of EBF rates at four months between our study and the 2017 national study based on various factors of influence on breastfeeding.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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