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Factors influencing the duration of breast-feeding

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Christine P. West
Christine P. West
Affiliation:
Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Edinburgh
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Summary

A group of 239 mothers breast-feeding on leaving hospital were followed up 6 months later by a postal questionnaire; 216 (90%) responded and, of these, 41% had discontinued breast-feeding before the end of the 12th week, the greatest decline occurring within the first 6 weeks. Duration of breast-feeding was significantly influenced by social class and, for parous mothers, previous breast-feeding success. Seventy-two per cent of the mothers who stopped breast-feeding within the first 12 weeks gave inadequacy of the milk supply or an unsettled baby as contributory reasons. Maternal fatigue and painful nipples were the other two most frequent contributory problems. Only 6% of all the mothers admitted to not having enjoyed breast-feeding. The person most commonly consulted about breast-feeding problems was the health visitor. Regardless of how long they had breast-fed, 43% of the mothers would have liked more help.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , July 1980 , pp. 325 - 332
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

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References

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