英國：產前培訓使母乳餵養率提高

Mothers who attend antenatal classes are far more likely to breastfeed their children, according to research released Wednesday.

A study by the University of Edinburgh found three-quarters of mothers who attended all or most of their antenatal classes breast fed their child. This compared with half of mothers who did not attend classes.

The study was carried out by the university's Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR). More than 8,000 mothers of young children in Scotland were interviewed for the research, which is based on the Growing Up In Scotland survey.

Previous research has shown that age and educational background are linked to breastfeeding figures. This study found 86 per cent of mothers with degrees breast fed, compared with 31 per cent of mothers with no qualifications. It also showed antenatal classes tripled the chances of breastfeeding, regardless of these factors.

Valeria Skafida, the researcher who led the study, said: "This research shows that having access to accurate information is crucial in a mother's decision to breastfeed and that antenatal classes make a big difference in giving children the best start in life.

"More research is needed to understand how take-up can be increased in groups that are under-represented."

Studies have shown that babies who are breast fed are less likely to be obese in later life and gain protection against conditions like asthma, eczema and chest infections.

Mothers benefit too, with studies showing a protective effect against ovarian and breast cancer.

A national breastfeeding helpline to support new mothers was officially launched by the Government earlier this month. The number is 0844 209 0920.

本週三公佈的一項研究表明，參加產前培訓課的媽媽進行母乳餵養的機率要高得多。

愛丁堡大學開展的一項研究發現，在參加了全部或大部分產前培訓課的媽媽中，有四分之三的人以母乳餵養孩子。而這一比例在未參加產前培訓的媽媽中爲二分之一。

該項由愛丁堡大學家庭與關係研究中心(CRFR)開展的研究以“在蘇格蘭長大”調查爲依據，共對蘇格蘭的八千多位新媽媽進行了訪問。

此前已有研究表明，女性是否給孩子母乳餵養跟她們的年齡和教育背景有關。這項新研究發現，86%擁有學歷的媽媽選擇母乳餵養，而這一比例在沒有學歷的媽媽中爲31%。此外，研究顯示，排除這些因素的影響，產前培訓課程使母乳餵養的機率提高了兩倍。

研究負責人瓦勒莉婭•斯卡弗達說：“該研究表明，掌握正確的知識對於媽媽決定母乳餵養孩子至關重要，媽媽參加產前課程能給孩子帶來一個最好的開端。”

“然而，對於如何提高沒有足夠代表性的人羣的母乳餵養率問題，還需要開展進一步研究加以論證。”

此前的研究已表明，接受母乳餵養的孩子日後肥胖的可能性較小，而且患哮喘、溼疹和肺炎的機率也較小。

母乳餵養對媽媽也有好處，研究表明，以母乳餵養孩子的女性患卵巢癌和乳腺癌的機率較低。

英國政府已於本月初正式開通“母乳餵養”全國諮詢服務熱線，需要幫助的新媽媽可撥打0844 209 0920進行諮詢。