Table 2

Breastfeeding rates and maternal ethnicity and birthplace

 Prevalence of breast feeding in each group
 Initiated breast feeding*Currently breast fed†
Maternal birthplace
 Born in Ireland48.8%
47.4%–49.5%		4.8%
4.3%–5.2%
 Born elsewhere82.2%
86.6%–83.6%		19.6%
18.1%–21.2%
Length of time living in Ireland† (years)
 <192.0%
86.4%–92.7%		17.4%
15.1%–23.8%
 1–589.2%
88.7%–89.7%		24.1%
23.4%–24.9%
 6–1085.3%
84.5%–86.0%		19.5%
18.8%–20.4%
 11–20 years76.5%
74.9%–77.8%		18.4%
17.2%–19.9%
 >2062.0%
60.7%–63.2%		9.4%
8.8%–10.3%
Maternal ethnic background
 Irish49.5%
48.5%–50.5%		5.2%
47.5%–56.6%
 Any other white86.5%
84.4%–88.3%		19.6%
17.4%–21.9%
 African or any other black92.5%
88.9%–94.9%		27.4%
22.5%–32.8%
 Chinese or any other Asian91.5%
87.5%–94.2%		31.5%
26.1%–37.5%
 Other (including mixed)90.4%
79.3%–95%		20.8%
11.8%–34.3%

  • 95% CIs are reported.

  • *Mothers who had ever initiated breast feeding.

  • †Mothers who were currently breast feeding (at time of interview).