Publication
Title
Motherhood in Europe : an examination of parental leave regulations and breastfeeding policy influences on breastfeeding initiation and duration
Author
Abstract
This study examines how European variation in breastfeeding initiation and duration rates is related to the presence of baby-friendly hospitals, the international code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes, and different constellations of maternal, paternal, and parental leave. We use Eurobarometer data (2005) to compare initiation and duration levels across 21 European countries within a multilevel regression framework. We find that countries play a significant role in determining breastfeeding through their different social policies. Breastfeeding practices across different leave regulation models differ substantially. We conclude that ongoing changes in paid maternity and parental leave length combined with uptake flexibility and paternal involvement help determine breastfeeding rates and should put infant feeding issues on governmental policy agendas across European countries.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Social Sciences
Publication
2020
ISSN
2076-0760
DOI
10.3390/SOCSCI9120222
Volume/pages
9 :12 (2020) , p. 1-22
Article Reference
222
ISI
000683735900007
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
VABB-SHW
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 05.10.2021
Last edited 26.08.2024
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