Reasons for premature weaning of breastfeeding investigated

Reasons for premature weaning of breastfeeding investigated
(Breastfeeding-May 29, 2003)

Investigators in France conducted a study to "describe the factors associated with a premature cessation of breastfeeding."

"Three hundred and forty nine women with a plan for prolonged breastfeeding over two months were interviewed during their hospital stay to define sociological and medical variables," reported Anne Ego and collaborators at Jeanne de Flandre Universitary Hospital. "One month after discharge, mothers were contacted by a physician for making out evolution of the breastfeeding. Eighty-eight (28%) women were no longer breastfeeding their infant and were compared to the other 224 (64%) mothers."

The researchers found, "The main sociological factors influencing the cessation of breastfeeding were low education level (odds ratio 4.2 [95% CI 2.2-8.3]), and primiparity (odds ratio 2.1 [95% CI 1.1-3.9]). Pacifier use was associated with a lower duration of breastfeeding (odds ratio 2.5 [95% CI 1.4-4.5]). Medical predictive factors were infant weight loss (odds ratio 4.3 [95% CI 1.7-10.6]), respect of intervals between feeding times (odds ratio 2.1 [95% CI 1.1-4.4]), and delay before the first feeding (odds ratio 1.9 [95% CI 1.0-3.6]). On the other hand, formula supplementation was not related with cessation of breastfeeding.

"As the success of breastfeeding depends on maternal motivation, it seems essential to take into account mothers' plan to study breastfeeding duration," concluded Ego and her coauthors. "The knowledge of predictive factors of the cessation of breastfeeding should allow to identify mothers who need particularly the attention of healthcare professionals."

Ego and her colleagues published their study in the Archives de Pediatrie (Premature weaning of breastfeeding. Archives Pediatrie, 2003;10(1):11-18).

For additional information, contact J. P. Dubos, Clinical Research and Evaluation Unit, Jeanne de Flandre Universitary Hospital, 2 Avenue Oscar Lambret, 59037 Lille, France.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Breastfeeding and Women's Health. This article was prepared by Women's Health Weekly editors from staff and other reports.