New research suggests that mothers connected to te ao Māori are more likely to breastfeed their babies for the recommended six months.
File image Photo: Unsplash / Wes Hicks
University of Auckland researchers looked at data from more than 1000 wāhine Māori in the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study.
They found 12 percent exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their baby's life.
The researchers say factors that influenced the duration of exclusive breastfeeding were connection to te ao Māori, knowledge of breastfeeding benefits, and the incidence of maternal depression.
Co-author of the University of Auckland study Dr Catherine Gilchrist said the findings were valuable and could "inform interventions to protect, promote and support Māori women to exclusively breastfeed their babies".
