Decision to breastfeed and early cessation of breastfeeding in infants below 6 months old--a population-based study of 3,204 infants in Hong Kong.

Breastfeeding rate has been low in Hong Kong over the last three decades. This has happened with concomitant rapid economic development and improved living standards. A population-based survey was conducted to evaluate factors influencing decision, duration and early cessation of breastfeeding in 3,204 full-term healthy infants under 6 months throughout Hong Kong in 1993.

A population-based survey on infant feeding practice (0-2 years) in Hong Kong: breastfeeding rate and patterns among 3,161 infants below 6 months old.

The prevalence of breastfeeding for the first 6 months in infants has been low in Hong Kong since the 1970s. In order to develop effective breastfeeding policies and promotion programs, an appraisal of feeding practices and factors related to initiation and early cessation of breastfeeding is necessary. A survey with a population-based representative sample was conducted to determine social-demographic, personal and cultural factors that influenced decision, duration and practice of infant feeding among infants 0-24 months old.