The Influence of Type of Maternity Care Provider on Early Breastfeeding Rates. A Retrospective Cohort Study of All Women Who Gave Birth in Victoria, Australia 2010 to 2020.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden.
- 2Department of Nursing, Umea University, Umea, Sweden.
- 3Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
- 4Mercy Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- 5Breastfeeding Service, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
Background
Breastfeeding plays a vital role in infant health and development. Maternity care providers are well-positioned to support breastfeeding during the postnatal period. In Australia, there are multiple options for public and private maternity care. To date, there is limited information on how caregiver and hospital type influence early breastfeeding.Aim
To examine associations between type of care provider during antenatal and intrapartum care, hospital type and early breastfeeding rates in Victoria, Australia.Methods
Retrospective cohort study of all live, singleton, term births in Victoria, Australia 2010-2020 (N = 638,809). We investigated associations between variables using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models.Results
Most women (95.7%) initiated breastfeeding, and 77.1% provided the last feed before hospital discharge exclusively from the breast. About a quarter of infants (27.0%) received commercial milk formula while in hospital. Women who received antenatal or intrapartum care from a midwife or general practitioner were more likely to initiate breastfeeding, and their infants to have their last feed before discharge from the breast, and less likely to receive formula in hospital compared to those cared for by an obstetrician. Dyads who received care in public hospitals had better breastfeeding outcomes than those in private hospitals. The small proportion (0.2%) who received private midwifery care showed the most favourable breastfeeding outcomes.Conclusions
Early breastfeeding outcomes in Victoria differ in relation to antenatal and intrapartum care provider and hospital type, and indicate disparities in supportive breastfeeding practices. Implementation of Baby Friendly Health procedures may help standardise care across these settings.
Related
- Two approaches, one goal: rethinking breastfeeding promotion in maternity hospitals.
- Breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternity care practices: implications for the National Strategy
- Community and healthcare provider perspectives on HIV- and COVID-19–related stigma, fear and health-seeking barriers among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Uganda
- The influence of breastfeeding and pacifier use on the association between preterm birth and primary-dentition malocclusion: A population-based birth cohort study
- Short‐Term Adverse Events Following Recombinant Zoster Vaccination in Older Adults in Australia: A Survey Study Comparing Dose 1 and Dose 2 and Influence of Dose Interval
BibTeX
@article{johnsson2026influence,
title = {{The Influence of Type of Maternity Care Provider on Early Breastfeeding Rates. A Retrospective Cohort Study of All Women Who Gave Birth in Victoria, Australia 2010 to 2020.}},
author = {Maja Johnsson and Sophia Holmlund and Isabelle Augustsson and Amanda Salander and Christine E East and Lisa H Amir and Kristina Edvardsson},
journal = {The Australian \& New Zealand journal of obstetrics \& gynaecology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1111/ajo.70191},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42952176},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Influence of Type of Maternity Care Provider on Early Breastfeeding Rates. A Retrospective Cohort Study of All Women Who Gave Birth in Victoria, Australia 2010 to 2020.
AU - Maja Johnsson
AU - Sophia Holmlund
AU - Isabelle Augustsson
AU - Amanda Salander
AU - Christine E East
AU - Lisa H Amir
AU - Kristina Edvardsson
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
DO - 10.1111/ajo.70191
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42952176
AB - Background Breastfeeding plays a vital role in infant health and development. Maternity care providers are well-positioned to support breastfeeding during the postnatal period. In Australia, there are multiple options for public and private maternity care. To date, there is limited information on how caregiver and hospital type influence early breastfeeding.Aim To examine associations between type of care provider during antenatal and intrapartum care, hospital type and early breastfeeding rates in Victoria, Australia.Methods Retrospective cohort study of all live, singleton, term births in Victoria, Australia 2010-2020 (N = 638,809). We investigated associations between variables using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models.Results Most women (95.7%) initiated breastfeeding, and 77.1% provided the last feed before hospital discharge exclusively from the breast. About a quarter of infants (27.0%) received commercial milk formula while in hospital. Women who received antenatal or intrapartum care from a midwife or general practitioner were more likely to initiate breastfeeding, and their infants to have their last feed before discharge from the breast, and less likely to receive formula in hospital compared to those cared for by an obstetrician. Dyads who received care in public hospitals had better breastfeeding outcomes than those in private hospitals. The small proportion (0.2%) who received private midwifery care showed the most favourable breastfeeding outcomes.Conclusions Early breastfeeding outcomes in Victoria differ in relation to antenatal and intrapartum care provider and hospital type, and indicate disparities in supportive breastfeeding practices. Implementation of Baby Friendly Health procedures may help standardise care across these settings.
SN - 0004-8666
SN - 1479-828X
ER -