Links Between Maternal Breast-Feeding Duration and Québec Infants’ Health: A Population-Based Study. Are the Effects Different for Poor Children?

Objectives: To determine whether the relationship between breastfeeding duration and the health status of 5-month-old Quebec infants differs by poverty status. Methods: Cross-sectional study of Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development data of a sample of 2223 infants who were 5 months old. Two infant health indicators were considered: presence of chronic diseases and hospitalization for at least one night since birth. Differences in the associations between infant health and breastfeeding duration according to poverty status were explored using a logistic regression model and controlling for children’s and mothers’ characteristics. Results: Infants of low-income mothers were breastfed less often and for shorter periods of time. At five months, they had poorer health compared with children from families with adequate income. However, a positive association between breastfeeding duration and these health indicators was observed and was independent of poverty level. There was no interaction between poverty level and breastfeeding duration for the two health indicators studied. Conclusions: The associations between maternal breastfeeding for 4 months or more and both hospitalizations before 5 months of age and chronic diseases are independent of family income level. However, low-income mothers breastfeed less often and for shorter periods of time. Interventions intended to promote and support breastfeeding should especially target mothers living in poverty conditions.