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Frequencies and demographic determinants of breastfeeding and DHA supplementation in a nationwide sample of mothers in Germany

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Abstract

Purpose

German guidelines recommend breast milk as ideal for infant’s nutrition, supporting exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4 months. Moreover, in mothers with insufficient fish intake, DHA status may be improved by supplementation during pregnancy and lactation. However, little is known on current rates of breastfeeding and DHA supplementation in Germany. The objective of this study was to analyse frequencies and demographic determinants of breastfeeding and DHA supplementation in Germany.

Methods

Data derived from a nationwide consumer survey of 986 mothers with children between 5 and 36 months of age in Germany.

Results

78.3 % reported that they ever breastfed their children, and 55.6 % of the mothers exclusively breastfed for at least 4 months. Mothers who did not breastfeed were less likely to be informed by their paediatrician or midwife and were more often not informed at all; 27.8 % of mothers used DHA supplements during pregnancy, 16.8 % postnatal. DHA supplementation was more common in women with a high versus a low fish intake. The social status was the major determinant of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity and also DHA supplementation.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding initiation and duration of exclusive breastfeeding in Germany need to be improved. Professional counselling and support, with a focus on mothers from lower social classes, appears necessary to increase current rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusiveness, but also to ensure a sufficient supply with DHA in pregnant and lactating women, particularly in women with low fish consumption.

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Acknowledgments

All authors participated in designing the survey questionnaire and in manuscript preparation and critical revision, LL and MS conducted the statistical analyses and data interpretation, LL wrote the manuscript, and MK supervised the study. MK had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. The authors declare no conflict of interest. The PINGU project was financially supported by the German federal ministry of education and research (Förderkennzeichen 01EA1335). We are very grateful to Prof. Dr. Walter Krämer, University of Dortmund, for his statistical expertise and to Dr. Constanze Cholmakow-Bodechtel, Kantar Health GmbH, for the organisation of the online survey.

Conflict of interest

All authors have no conflict of interests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Child Nutrition (FKE) Dortmund, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Heinstueck 11, 44225, Dortmund, Germany

    Lars Libuda, Madlen Stimming, Christina Mesch & Mathilde Kersting

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

    Petra Warschburger

  3. Pediatric Clinic Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany

    Hermann Kalhoff

  4. Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University of Munich Medical Centre, Munich, Germany

    Berthold Viktor Koletzko

Authors
  1. Lars Libuda
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  2. Madlen Stimming
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  3. Christina Mesch
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  4. Petra Warschburger
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  5. Hermann Kalhoff
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  6. Berthold Viktor Koletzko
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  7. Mathilde Kersting
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Correspondence to Lars Libuda.

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Libuda, L., Stimming, M., Mesch, C. et al. Frequencies and demographic determinants of breastfeeding and DHA supplementation in a nationwide sample of mothers in Germany. Eur J Nutr 53, 1335–1344 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0633-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0633-4

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