FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DURATION OF BREAST-FEEDING IN THE SUDBURY REGION

Objective: To determine the duration of breastfeeding in the Sudbury R egion and to identify the reasons why mothers wean before the Canadian Paediatric Society's recom mended six month period. Methods: Question naires addressing factors that influence the duration of breastfeeding were mailed to 350 breastfeeding mothers at one/two weeks, three mont hs and six months after their postpartum discharge from hospital. Resu lts: Forty percent of mothers breastfed for the recommended six month period. Reported factors positively influencing longer durations of br eastfeeding were higher education, higher family income, parity, previ ous breastfeeding experience, decision to breastfeed before the child was born and late introduction to solids. Reasons for weaning included perceived insufficient milk supply, fatigue, breast problems and retu rn to work. Mothers top three choices of services were home visits, te lephone hot line and television programs. Conclusions: The duration of breastfeeding in the Sudbury Region is lower than the provincial aver age. Several modifiable factors associated with duration of breastfeed ing were identified.