Trend of exclusive breastfeeding in Chile before and after the parental postnatal law

Abstract

Introduction: To describe the trend of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) until sixth month of life in Chile before and after the implementation of the parental postnatal law in children treated in the public health system.

Material and Method: An observational and population-based study, using the EBF data up to the sixth month obtained from monthly statistical records (MSR), available at the Department of Information and Statistics on Health of children treated in the public health system.  Prevalence and weighted prevalence were determined by region and country. Cumulative percentage variation (PV) and annual percentage variation (APV) of prevalence were analyzed using a linear regression model in the period before (2008-2011) and after (2011-2013) of the implementation of the law.

Results: The highest prevalence of EBF was observed in 2008 (49.1%) and 2009 (45.1%) and the lowest in 2011 (41.1%). The Antofagasta (33.6%) and Atacama Region (31.6%) had the lowest weighted prevalence of the period. A negative APV was observed in the period 2008-2011 and a positive APV in the period 2011-2013 in all regions and in the country, except for the B. O´Higgins Region.

Conclusions: The enactment of the law that increases EBF until 24 weeks of life reverses the decreasing tendency previosly observed until the sixth month. This could encourage other governments to invest resources and efforts in early childhood by providing equity and health.