Of 308 380 births during the study period, following exclusions there were 30 402 mothers #19 years of
age (10.5% of study population) and 257 840 mothers age >19 years. Of adolescent mothers, 44% initiated breastfeeding
compared with 65% of older mothers, P < .001. Adolescents were 33% less likely to breastfeed after adjusting
for important coexisting factors, adjusted relative risk 0.77 (95% CI 0.75-0.80). Socioeconomic factors had the
most significant influence on breastfeeding initiation in adolescent mothers.