REASON FOR TERMINATION OF BREAST-FEEDING AND THE LENGTH OF BREAST-FEEDING

Background. In third world countries the length of breastfeeding often has a major influence on child mortality, morbidity and nutritional s tatus. When evaluating the impact of length of breastfeeding the reaso n why a mother terminates breastfeeding is usually not taken into cons ideration. Methods. Risk factors for termination of breastfeeding were studied in a prospective community study following 1678 children in G uinea Bissau, West Africa from birth to cessation of breastfeeding, mi gration or death. Results. The median weaning age was 22.6 months, Ill ness of the child, new pregnancy of the mother and illness of the moth er were associated with a significantly shorter lactation period compa red with children weaned because they were 'healthy' or 'old enough'. These explanations had an impact independent of other determinants for weaning, including ethnic group, mother's age, mother's education, bi rth order and number of dead siblings. Weaning before 12 months of age was only associated with illness of the mother or child and new pregn ancy and not with any socioeconomic or cultural factors. Conclusions. Health workers should pay special attention to the encouragement of br eastfeeding in connection with illness of the mother or child; these c onsiderations may also be important in the planning of breastfeeding p romotion campaigns. Since premature termination of breastfeeding is as sociated with new pregnancy, family planning should be part of any bre astfeeding promotion programme.