Infant Feeding During the First Year of Life. Results of the 2021 Épifane Study

As part of the national surveillance system for infant feeding during the first year of life, the second edition of the Épifane study was conducted in 2021–2022 among 3,534 mothers selected from those who participated in the two-month postpartum data collection for the National Perinatal Survey (ENP-2021) in mainland France. In addition to the ENP data collected at the maternity ward and at two months, women participating in Épifane were surveyed at two months via a follow-up telephone interview. They were then contacted again at six and twelve months to complete a telephone interview and an online self-administered questionnaire. This report is limited to descriptive findings on infant feeding and changes since the first edition of Épifane in 2012. Regarding breastfeeding, the rate of initiation of breastfeeding (BF) at the maternity ward increased from 74% in 2012 to 77% in 2021. The median duration of breastfeeding has also improved, rising from 15 to 20 weeks over the period. At 6 months of age, while less than a quarter of newborns were still being breastfed in 2012, more than a third were in 2021. By 3 days of age, half of the children had already consumed commercial infant formula (IF), in both 2021 and 2012. Regarding the introduction of solid foods, the introduction of foods other than milk (breast milk or infant formula) began more than two weeks earlier, with the median age of introduction dropping from 152 days in 2012 to 136 days in 2021. Thus, complementary feeding began within the recommended window of 4 to 6 months for 91% of children in 2021 (versus 80% in 2012). However, 4% of children still began weaning too early and 5% too late. These results and their trends between 2012 and 2021 underscore the need to increase support for mothers who wish to breastfeed, as well as the dissemination of recommendations regarding infant feeding.

Author(s): Salanave Benoît, Lebreton Élodie, Demiguel Virginie, Regnault Nolwenn

Publishing year: 2024

Pages: 43 p.

Collection: Studies and Surveys

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