More than 75% of children are: young French mothers breastfeed longer and in greater numbers

L’allaitement progresse en France depuis 10 ans

Santé publique France a publié les résultats de l'enquête Epifane sur l'alimentation des tout-petits : plus de 75 % des enfants sont allaités à la maternité, et la diversification alimentaire est conforme aux recommandations pour 90 % d’entre eux.

Young French mothers breastfeed longer and in greater numbers, according to a large study published by Public Health France (SPF) and conducted among 3,500 mothers in 2021.

An increasing duration of breastfeeding

In 2021, half of mothers breastfed their child for 20 weeks, compared to 15 weeks in 2012. The total breastfeeding objective (exclusive and mixed) is set in the recommendations at 17 weeks.

In 2021, 77% of women breastfed their child from the maternity ward, compared to 74% ten years earlier. This rate exceeds the objective of 75% set by the 4th National Nutrition and Health Plan (PNNS). Later, at 6 months, less than a quarter of newborns were still breastfed in 2012, while more than a third were in 2021.

Despite this progression, France remains at the bottom of the European ranking. Breastfeeding offers theoretical benefits for the baby's health, particularly for their immunity. These benefits are particularly important in developing countries, where the risk of infection is high and access to safe drinking water is limited.

The difficulty of reconciling a job with breastfeeding

For 76% of mothers who stopped breastfeeding at 2 months, the two main reasons were the convenience of the bottle (including the desire to involve the father more) and the perception of ;an insufficient production of breast milk ("without an effective drop in the weight of the newborn being noted"). Other reasons are mentioned by more than half of the women: breastfeeding difficulties (57%) and organizational problems and lack of time (54%).

The authors of the publication illustrate the difficulty of reconciling professional life and breastfeeding: "half of the mothers who were still breastfeeding at 6 months gave at least 6 feedings per day to their child, and were therefore in a situation that was difficult to reconcile with the peaceful resumption of professional activity". The study also highlights "the insufficient training of health professionals and employers to support women wishing to breastfeed ", as well as "the contradictory information received regarding breastfeeding and the feeding of young children".

Properly implemented food diversification

The study also observes excellent compliance with the recommendations concerning the start of dietary diversification (between 4 and 6 months). "In 2021, more than nine in ten children (91%) had started their dietary diversification within the recommended window, compared to 80% in 2012 &quot ;, indicates the publication. Only 4% of mothers started before this period. However, certain foods, such as added fats, pulses and eggs, are introduced later than recommended by a significant portion of the mothers surveyed.

Note: Public Health France has designed guides on breastfeeding and dietary diversification for young parents and of those around them.

All the answers to the questions on the site 1000-premiers-jours.fr

To find out more: The results of the 2nd edition of the Epifane survey in detail