Aim: To document breastfeeding levels in Canterbury between 1968 to 1994.
Methods: The method of feeding at discharge from hospital, at 4 weeks and at 3 months of age was obtained from maternal obstetric records, Plunket nursing notes, parent interviews or by self completed questionnaires. Data were compiled for the years 1968 to 1994.
Results: In 1968, only half of all mothers were breastfeeding when discharged. However, rates have steadily increased since then so that by 1990, 90% of infants were recorded as being breastfed at discharge. Levels of exclusive breastfeeding have also increased. By 1992-4, 82.2% of babies were being exclusively breastfed at discharge from hospital, 72.4% at 4 weeks and 62.5% at 3 months.
Conclusion: Levels of breastfeeding in Canterbury are now relatively high. The Public Health Commission has set a target for 75% of infants to be fully breastfed at 3 months of age by the year 2000. To achieve this the circumstances that hinder breastfeeding need to be addressed.