The choice to breast feed or bottle feed and influences upon that choice: a survey of 1525 mothers.

A consecutive sample of 1525 mothers was interviewed after delivery in hospital in order to investigate the characteristics of breast and bottle feeders and to examine the reasons for deciding how to feed and the influences upon that decision. Breast feeding was associated with age, social class and parity. A woman's choice of feeding was strongly associated with her husband's opinion if he had a definite preference; also her choice was associated with the feeding method of her own mother if it had been consistent. The most frequent reasons for breast feeding were the belief that it was 'better for the baby' and that it was 'natural'. The most commonly reported reasons for bottle feeding were that breast feeding was inconvenient and embarrassing. Women's own previous failures at breast feeding and those of their friends were powerful influences upon many mothers.