Factors associated with the duration of breastfeeding

A cohort study of healthy term infants was conducted to identify factors as sociated with breastfeeding duration. Three hundred and fifty mothers deliv ering in one obstetric hospital in Auckland, New Zealand were recruited. Ni nety-five percent were followed up until ly. Breastfeeding was initiated by 97.4%, the median duration of breastfeeding was 7.6 mo, and 30% were conti nuing some breastfeeding at 12 mo. Adjusted risk ratios for shorter duratio n of breastfeeding were: maternal age <25 y, 2.33 (95% confidence interval = 1.33, 4.05); maternal age 25-34, 1.45 (1.01, 2.09) compared to maternal a ge less than or equal to 35; planning to cease breastfeeding less than or e qual to 6 mo, 2.39 (1.65, 3.46); planning to breastfeed for as long as poss ible, 1.48 (1.00, 2.18), or not knowing plans 2.13 (1.36, 3.32) when compar ed to planning to cease breastfeeding after 6 mo; inverted nipples, 2.02 (1 .26, 3.23), daily dummy use 1.62 (1.20, 2.18) or use of formula in the firs t month 2.79 (2.05, 3.80). Reporting mastitis, 0.67 (0.48, 0.94), and shari ng the mother's bedroom at 3 mo, 0.69 (0.511 0.92) were associated with a r educed risk for shorter duration of breastfeeding. We recommend that during the antenatal period attention be directed at mothers' plans for duration of breastfeeding, that mothers be encouraged to have their baby in their be droom, and that the use of formula and dummies should be discouraged in the first months of life.