Aim: to determine the rates of initiation and duration of breastfeeding in Italy in 1995 and 1999, and to examine the adherence to the ten steps to successful breastfeeding recommended by WHO.
Methods: Two cohorts of mothers who delivered healthy infants in November 1995 (n = 2400) or November 1999 (n = 3500) were interviewed by telephone within 4 wk of delivery when their infants were 3 months of age. Type of breastfeeding was classified according to the WHO definitions. Adherence to the WHO ten steps was evaluated.
Results: Initiation and duration of breastfeeding increased during the 1995-1999 period (p < 0.0001). The rate of breastfeeding at discharge and when the infants where 3 months of age was 83% and 42% in 1995, and 89% and 66% in 1999. The rate of exclusive/predominant breastfeeding at discharge was higher in 1999 than 1995 (78% vs 72%).
Conclusion: An increase in initiation and duration of breastfeeding through the first 3 months of age occurred in Italy during the 1995-1999 period, but both breastfeeding duration and observance of the WHO's ten steps are not completely satisfactory yet.