English summary: HOSPITAL FEEDING, BREASTFEEDING AND WEANING IN THE FINNISH DIABETES PREDICTION AND PREVENTION NUTRITION STUDY

Background We set out to assess the type of hospital feeding, breast feeding and the age of the infant when there was introduction of complementary foods. Furthermore, we sought to identify the major influencing sociodemographic determinants of these parameters.

Methods A prospective birth cohort of 3565 infants with increased risk of type 1 diabetes was recruited between 1996-2001 from the university hospitals of Oulu and Tampere. The families completed a follow-up form at home on the age at introduction of new foods and, on each visit, they also filled in a structured dietary questionnaire.

Results In the maternity ward, 99% of infants were breastfed. Infant formula was given to 9% and donated breast milk to 74% of the children. The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 1.4 months, and every second baby was still receiving breast milk at the age of six months. High maternal education, older maternal age, non-smoking mother, living in the south of the country, and female gender of the baby were predictive factors for a later introduction of the first complementary food.

Conclusions The goals of infant feeding have not yet been achieved in Finland. Maternal education, age and smoking habits are the strongest determinants of infant feeding.