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Table 3 Prevalence of any breastfeeding in England at different time points after birth

From: The cost-effectiveness of antenatal and postnatal education and support interventions for women aimed at promoting breastfeeding in the UK

Time point

Prevalence of any breastfeeding

2010 [20]

2019 [19]

Birth

83%

 

6–8 weeks after birth

57% [6 weeks]

53% [6–8 weeks, cases with known status only]

4 months after birth

44%

42% [estimated]a

6 months after birth

36%

34% [estimated]a

  1. a estimated using the 2019 figure for the prevalence of any breastfeeding at 6–8 weeks and the instant rate of reduction in any breastfeeding between 6 weeks and 4 months, and between 4 months and 6 months, as calculated from the 2010 data (assuming exponential decrease in breastfeeding rates)