Breastfeeding-Friendly Environmental Factors and Continuing Breastfeeding Until 6 Months Postpartum: 2008-2011 National Surveys in Taiwan

Background Although policies have been implemented to improve a breastfeeding‐friendly environment, few studies have examined the effectiveness of these policies in Taiwan. We examined progress in breastfeeding environmental factors from 2008 through 2011 in Taiwan and their association with continuing exclusive and any breastfeeding until 6 months postpartum. Methods This study was a secondary data analysis, using four cross‐sectional and national surveys of 1,453–12,410 postpartum women in the years 2008 through 2011. Data were collected by telephone interviews, using structured questionnaires with randomly selected postpartum women who gave birth in the indicated years. Results were weighted to enhance representativeness. Logistic regression was used to compute adjusted odds ratios for the use of breastfeeding‐friendly services on breastfeeding continuation. Results The rates of breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum generally increased from 2008 to 2011, despite a drop in 2010. The use of breastfeeding‐friendly environmental factors, including breastfeeding rooms in public places or workplaces, breastfeeding consultation phone lines/websites, breastfeeding volunteers, and delivery in baby‐friendly hospitals, increased from 2008 to 2011. However, the percentage of women participating in breastfeeding support groups decreased during that period. After controlling for maternal characteristics, use of each of the breastfeeding‐friendly environmental factors was significantly and positively associated with continuing breastfeeding until 6 months postpartum. The adjusted odds ratios for breastfeeding‐friendly environmental factors ranged from 1.15 to 5.04. Conclusions The breastfeeding‐friendly environment and long‐term breastfeeding rates in Taiwan improved from 2008 to 2011, supporting the effectiveness of policy and public health efforts.