The objective of this study was to examine and compare predictors of breastfeeding exclusivity among migrant and Canadian-born women. As part of a longitudinal study, a sample of 1184 mothers were recruited from 12 hospitals in Canada and completed questionnaires at 1 and 16 weeks post-partum that included diverse questions from the following domains: demographic, social, migration, obstetrical, breastfeeding and maternal mood. After bivariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis was completed to examine and compare predictors of exclusive breastfeeding at 16 weeks post-partum. Among migrant women, factors predictive of breastfeeding exclusivity included non-refugee immigrant or asylum-seeking status, residence in Toronto or Vancouver, maternal age of ≥35 years, feels most comfortable in the country of origin or nowhere and higher Gender-related Development Index of the country of origin. Factors predictive of not exclusively breastfeeding included maternal age of <20 years, not planning to exclusively breastfeed, not making the decision to breastfeed before pregnancy and not exclusively breastfeeding at 1 week post-partum. Among Canadian-born women, factors predictive of a lower likelihood of breastfeeding exclusivity included not living with father of infant, infant neonatal intensive care unit admission, planned duration of exclusive breastfeeding for <6 months, not exclusively breastfeeding at 1 week post-partum and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of ≥10. The only similar risk factor predicting a lower likelihood of breastfeeding exclusivity between migrant and Canadian-born women was not exclusively breastfeeding at 1 week post-partum; all other risk factors were dissimilar, suggesting that these groups might benefit from different strategies to optimise breastfeeding outcomes. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

risk factors migrant Breastfeeding support Canadian-born breastfeeding Exclusivity

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale hospital admission prospective study educational status immigrant longitudinal study refugee multicenter study Maternal Age clinical trial demography predictive value Prospective Studies human Longitudinal Studies Refugees statistics and numerical data controlled study social aspect comparative study geographic distribution Logistic Models social support residing with infants father maternal mood non refugee immigrant mood gender related development index neonatal intensive care unit breastfeeding exclusivity Breast Feeding asylum seeker Young Adult income Humans migrant psychology Canada Emigrants and Immigrants female Socioeconomic Factors risk factor Multivariate Analysis socioeconomics questionnaire Canadian Article Questionnaires adult migration cohort analysis statistical model decision making Postpartum Period puerperium