BREAST-FEEDING IN SCOTLAND

Objective-To measure the prevalence of breast feeding and to examine the value of using information collected on Guthrie cards (used for detecting inherited metabolic disease and hypothyroidism when newborn infants are 7 days old) to calculate this prevalence. Design-Analysis, by geographical area and maternity unit, of information on breast feeding collected on Guthrie cards for 131 759 babies born 1990 and 1991, and comparison with prevalences from other sources. Setting-Scotland. Results-Of the 131 759 babies, only 46 949 (35.6%) were breast feeding on day 7. The prevalence of breast feeding ranged from 59.1% (376/636) in Shetland to 21.1% (1836/8719) in Lanarkshire and < 8% in some postcode districts of cities. Analysis of the data by hospital of birth showed that the prevalence ranged from 51.2% (2701/5275) to 16.4% (507/3090). Conclusion-The prevalence of breast feeding in Scotland is low and varies among areas and maternity units. Intervention to increase this prevalence is essential, and information collected on Guthrie cards is a useful indication of mothers' intentions to breast feed.