Benoit SALANAVE, Catherine De LAUNAY, Caroline GUERRISI, Katia CASTETBON.

1. Benoit SALANAVE, Catherine De LAUNAY, Caroline GUERRISI, Katia CASTETBON. Nutritional Surveillance and Epidemiology Unit (USEN), French Institute for Public Health Surveillance, University Paris 13, Bobigny, France Contact: benoit.salanave@univ-paris13.fr Background and Objectives: France is one of the European countries where breastfeeding rates are among the lowest. Using data of the national survey Epifane on feeding practices during the first year of life, our objectives were to describe breastfeeding rates at birth and one month, and to identify factors associated with breastfeeding initiation and with early cessation before one month. Methods: Epifane was carried out using a 2-stage stratified random sample of infants born between the 16th of January and the 5th of April 2012 in 136 maternity wards in mainland France. Detailed information on breastfeeding and formula use was collected during the maternity stay using a self-completed questionnaire, and at one month by phone interview. Factors associated with breastfeeding initiation and discontinuation were identified using logistic regressions. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BREASTFEEDING RATES AT BIRTH AND DISCONTINUATION BEFORE ONE MONTH, FRANCE, 2012 Results: At maternity, the participation rate was 81% and 3,374 infants were included. More than two third of newborns (69 %) were breastfed in maternity unit (60 % exclusively, 9 % partially). At one month, half of them (54 %) were still breastfed but only 35 % exclusively (Figure). Breastfeeding rates at birth varied according to maternal characteristics (Table). Moreover, a positive perception of breastfeeding and information on infant feeding were positively associated with breastfeeding initiation. Figure: MILK FEEDING FROM MATERNITY STAY TO 4 WEEKS 60% 46% 31% 35% 9% 19% * Multiple logistic regression adjusted on marital status, education, BMI before pregnancy, delivery mode, early skin-to-skin contact, congenital malformation, child disease, maternity score on staff information to promote breastfeeding. Bold OR: P<0,05. Among mothers who have initiated breastfeeding at birth and with available data at one month (n=1681), 20% have stopped nursing their baby before the end of the 4th week. Factors associated with breastfeeding discontinuation were the same as those mentioned for initiation (Table), along with exclusive/mixed breastfeeding and various complaints such as mastitis. Conclusions: Targeted programs should be implemented to support prolonged breastfeeding in young mothers and those from low educational level. Actions should also be particularly focused on the sharp fall of breastfeeding rates after home return, which is sizeable as early as at the first week after birth. Keywords: Breastfeeding, cohort, newborns Poster Reference Number: PO0150