Breast feeding trends among Manawatu women: a cohort approach.

The breast feeding trends for first, second and third parity births for four successive birth cohorts of Manawatu mothers were examined. Two recent phases in breast feeding behaviour were identified; an initial period of decline, represented by the two oldest cohorts, and a subsequent resurgence among women in the two younger cohorts. This basic pattern was clearly evident in the incidence of breast feeding for each parity and for the mean duration of feeding for first parity births. Reflecting public and professional attitudes, it was found that these trends were paralleled by a change in the discussion and encouragement of breast feeding. A relationship between the discussion, encouragement and practice of breast feeding is suggested by these results.