Health effects of infant feeding: Information for parents in leaflets and magazines in five European countries

Parents' decisions about whether to breastfeed their infant, and
when to introduce complementary foods, are important public health
issues. Breastfeeding has beneficial health effects and is widely
promoted. Leaflets and magazine articles on infant feeding were
collected in 2005, in five European countries (England, Finland,
Germany, Hungary, Spain), and screened for statements that link
feeding behaviours to infant health outcomes. A total of 127
leaflets contained 512 statements (0.38/published page). Magazines
contained approximately 1 article/month. Health outcomes were more
intensively covered in England and Germany. Most statements
referred to short term health implications. Lack of scientific
agreement may underlie lack of cover of longer term health effects.
Scope may exist to promote improved infant feeding practices by
increasing the quantity and specificity of messages about health
effects. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of
alternative means of providing information on infant feeding
practices.