Data on breastfeeding were compared for two population-based cohorts of
children born in 1982 and 1993 in the city of Pelotas in southern of
Brazil. All hospital births taking place in both years were studied and
samples of these children were visited at home at around 12 months of
age. The median duration of any breastfeeding increased from 3.1 to 4.0
months in this period. In the first months, breastfeeding was more
prevalent in high-income families, but from nine months onwards it was
commoner among the poor. Low birthweight babies had shorter breastfeeding
durations.

Bernardo Lessa Horta
e-mail [log in to unmask]