Correlates of breastfeeding duration in an urban cohort from Argentina

To analyse factors associated with the duration of breastfeeding in a representative cohort of mothers and children, including socio-demographic and cultural characteristics, breastfeeding antecedents, perinatal factors and perinatal healthcare practices.

The study was conducted in the city of Cordoba, between 1993 and 1998. Mother-child binomials from all public and private hospitals were asked to participate. Follow-up consisted of home visits at 30 d, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 50 mo. Information was obtained on 650 healthy newborns. Cessation of breastfeeding during the first 24 mo of life was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and factors associated with weaning were studied using Cox's proportional risk regression.

The median duration of breastfeeding was 4 mo. Factors associated with weaning were: the introduction of artificial formulas within 30 d postpartum [relative risk (RR) = 2.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.82-2.82]; breastfeeding of a previous child for less than 6 mo (RR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.32-2.02); delay in the first mother-child contact for over 90 min (RR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.17-1.93); mother's having completed primary or partially completed secondary education (RR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.01-1.92) or completed secondary education or higher (RR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.14-2.22); primiparous mother (RR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.12-1.74) and; the mother recalling having been breastfed for less than 6 mo (RR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.01-1.61).

The purpose of strategies to promote breastfeeding should be to eliminate inappropriate care practices, such as delay in the first mother-child contact, as well as reducing the impact of other factors leading to the introduction of artificial milk. Moreover, mothers need more and better support from professionals and peers.