Motherhood in Europe. Parental leave regulations and breastfeeding policy influences on breastfeeding initiation and duration.

• In Event: 2266 - Family Section Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 18. Parental Leave and Family-Friendly Policies: Comparative Perspectives

Abstract

This study examined how European variation in breastfeeding initiation and duration rates is related to the presence of Baby-Friendly Hospitals, the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes, and different constellations of maternal, paternal and parental leave Eurobarometer data from 2005 was used to compare initiation and duration levels across 21 European countries within a multilevel regression framework. The International Code is negatively associated with initiation and duration. BFHs have no effect on initiation or duration. There are substantial differences between breastfeeding practices across the different leave regulation models. Paid maternity and parental leave length, combined with uptake flexibility and paternal involvement determine breastfeeding rates, putting the issue of infant feeding on governmental policy agendas across European countries.

Authors

• Karen Vanderlinden, Ghent University

• Veerle Buffel, KULeuven

• Bart Van de Putte, Ghent University