Breastfeeding Duration

Overall
By Maternal Age
By Parity
By Gestational Age
By Birth Type By Income
Technical Notes

Health Canada recommends that children are fed only breast milk until the age of six months, with complementary foods added at that time and continued breast milk to two years and beyond.  Breast milk is important for the nutrition, immunologic protection, growth, and development of infants and toddlers. This recommendation is  associated with the greatest protection for both breastfeeding parents and infants. The breastfeeding duration rate is the proportion of infants who are fed breast milk after initiation, and for this analysis, it is measured at two, four and up to six months of age. For more information on how to breastfeed and where to find support, see the health unit’s website on breastfeeding.

The breastfeeding duration rates indicate that most infants born to Simcoe Muskoka parents are not meeting this national and international recommendation. Multiple factors can affect breastfeeding duration rates including intrapartum factors (type of birth, skin-to-skin contact, supplementation), postpartum factors (available supports and services), demographics (maternal and gestational age) and social determinants of health such as income. The data on this page are from the SMDHU Infant Feeding Surveillance system.

Overall

In 2019, the Simcoe Muskoka exclusive breastfeeding rate up to six months was 20.3% (16.5%–24.6%), which is similar to previous years. An additional 9.0% (6.5% - 12.3%) of infants were exclusively breastfed up to six months after supplementing at least once prior to two months, which is classified as “returned to only breast milk”. When these groups are combined, three-in-ten (29.3%) infants were exclusively breastfed up to six months.

Two-thirds (66.5% (61.5%– 71.1%)) of infants were fed 'any' breast milk up to six months. This includes those who were exclusively breastfeeding, those who had “returned to only breast milk”, and those who were combination feeding (ie. breast milk and a substitute).

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By Maternal Age

Analysis of local data showed that maternal age is independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding duration (ie. this association remains when all other measured factors were held constant). The figure below shows that babies born to parents in the middle age group (25-34 years) have a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate than babies born to the younger (up to 24 years) and older (35 years and older) age groups at two, four and up to six months.

By Parity

Analysis of local data showed that parity (number of previous births) is independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding duration (ie. this association remains when all other measured factors were held constant). The figure below shows that babies born to second time parents (parity of two) have a higher exclusive breastfeeding duration rate than those born to first time parents. Despite their lower intention rates, second time parents have similar exclusive initiation and higher duration rates compared to first time parents, likely because intention is informed by the experience with the previous baby and therefore intention is a more accurate predictor of feeding type with second babies.

By Gestational Age

Analysis of local data showed that gestational age is independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding duration (ie. this association remains when all other measured factors were held constant). The figure below shows that babies born at 37 or more weeks gestation have a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate than premature babies (up to 37 weeks gestation) at two, four and up to six months.

By Birth Type

Analysis of local data showed that birth type is independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding duration (ie. this association remains when all other measured factors were held constant). The figure below shows that babies delivered vaginally have a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate than those delivered by caesarean section at two, four and up to six months.

By Income

Analysis of local data showed that income is independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding duration (ie. this association remains when all other measured factors were held constant). The figure below shows that babies born to families with an annual after-tax income of $60,000 or more have a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate than those with a lower income at two, four and up to six months.