Breastfeeding Mother surrounded by infant nutrition data

Breastfeeding Truths: Are You Getting the Real Story?

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the surprising discrepancies in breastfeeding data and learn why accurate information matters for your baby's health."

In the world of infant nutrition, breastfeeding stands as a cornerstone of health and development. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to two years or beyond. This guidance aims to optimize infant health, growth, and long-term well-being.

However, gathering accurate data on breastfeeding practices can be challenging. Studies often rely on self-reporting, which is vulnerable to recall bias and social desirability bias. Mothers might unintentionally misremember details or feel pressured to present their choices in a certain light. This can lead to skewed statistics and potentially flawed recommendations.

To address these challenges, researchers are exploring new methods for collecting breastfeeding data. Technology-based approaches, such as Short Message Service (SMS) questionnaires, offer a promising alternative. By gathering information in real-time, these methods minimize recall bias and provide a more accurate picture of infant feeding practices.

The Great Data Divide: Why Breastfeeding Numbers Don't Always Add Up

Breastfeeding Mother surrounded by infant nutrition data

A recent study published in "Breastfeeding Medicine" compared data on breastfeeding, infant formula use, and the introduction of complementary foods obtained through four different methods: questionnaires at 3 and 18 months postpartum, health visitor reports, and weekly SMS questions. The researchers aimed to identify the most reliable method for collecting this crucial information.

The study, part of the Odense Child Cohort in Denmark, involved 639 singleton mothers. Researchers tracked several key metrics, including breastfeeding initiation rates, the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, the timing of complementary food introduction, and the overall duration of any breastfeeding.

Questionnaires: Mothers completed detailed questionnaires at 3 and 18 months after giving birth.
Health Visitor Reports: Health visitors, who regularly visited families during the first year, documented their observations and advice on infant feeding.
Weekly SMS Questions: Mothers received weekly text messages with questions about their infant's nutrition.

The results revealed striking discrepancies between the different data collection methods. While all methods showed high rates of breastfeeding initiation, the SMS questions consistently provided different results compared to the other methods. Here's a breakdown of the key findings:

The Takeaway: Accurate Data for Healthier Babies

Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of accurate data collection in the field of infant nutrition. By understanding the strengths and limitations of different methods, healthcare professionals and researchers can improve the quality of information used to guide breastfeeding recommendations and support families in making informed decisions. Whether you're a new parent or a seasoned caregiver, staying informed and critically evaluating the information you receive is key to ensuring the best possible start for your little one.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the World Health Organization (WHO)'s recommendation on breastfeeding duration, and why is this guidance important?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to two years or beyond. This recommendation is in place to optimize the infant's health, growth, and long-term well-being. Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients and antibodies, which are vital for protecting the baby against illnesses. The WHO's guidelines are based on extensive research demonstrating the benefits of breastfeeding for both the infant and the mother.

What are the primary challenges in collecting accurate data on breastfeeding practices, and how do they affect the reliability of the information?

The main challenges in gathering accurate data on breastfeeding practices involve issues like recall bias and social desirability bias. Recall bias occurs when mothers unintentionally misremember details about their breastfeeding habits, such as the frequency, duration, or timing of feeding. Social desirability bias happens when mothers feel pressured to present their feeding choices in a particular way, potentially leading them to report more positively than what occurred. These biases can skew statistics and lead to potentially flawed recommendations.

How did the study published in "Breastfeeding Medicine" compare the data collection methods, and what were the different methods used?

The study published in "Breastfeeding Medicine" compared data on breastfeeding, infant formula use, and the introduction of complementary foods obtained through four different methods: questionnaires at 3 and 18 months postpartum, health visitor reports, and weekly SMS questions. The researchers used the Odense Child Cohort in Denmark, involving 639 singleton mothers. They tracked key metrics, including breastfeeding initiation rates, the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, the timing of complementary food introduction, and the overall duration of any breastfeeding. The study aimed to identify the most reliable method for collecting this crucial information.

What were the key findings regarding the discrepancies between the different data collection methods used in the study, specifically comparing the methods in terms of results?

The study revealed striking discrepancies between the different data collection methods. While all methods showed high rates of breastfeeding initiation, the SMS questions consistently provided different results compared to the other methods. The methods, specifically Questionnaires, Health Visitor Reports, and Weekly SMS Questions, were found to yield varying results on breastfeeding duration, the introduction of complementary foods, and the overall duration of breastfeeding. This highlights the need for critical evaluation of data collection methods to ensure the accuracy of information regarding infant feeding.

Why is accurate data collection crucial in the context of infant nutrition, and how can it impact the recommendations and decisions made by parents and healthcare professionals?

Accurate data collection is of utmost importance in the field of infant nutrition because it directly influences the quality of the recommendations and advice provided to both parents and healthcare professionals. By understanding the strengths and limitations of various data collection methods, researchers and healthcare providers can improve the reliability of the information used to guide breastfeeding recommendations. Reliable data ensures that the information is as accurate as possible, enabling parents to make informed decisions about their infant's nutrition and overall health. Furthermore, it allows for the development of more effective support systems and interventions to promote and support breastfeeding practices.