Breast-feeding in South Korea: factors influencing its initiation and duration

To investigate factors influencing the practices of partial breast-feeding (PBF) and exclusive breast-feeding (EBF).

A national, cross-sectional survey was conducted among married women aged 15-49 years from May to August 2003.

South Korea.

A total of 865 mothers answered questions regarding the feeding practices of their youngest baby, born between January 2001 and May 2003.

The initiation rates of PBF and EBF were 81% and 63%, respectively. However, the median durations of PBF and EBF were very short: 12 and 8 weeks, respectively. According to stepwise logistic and Cox regression analyses, the more prenatal care women received, the more likely they were to initiate PBF and EBF but the less likely to continue EBF. Delivery by Caesarean section decreased the initiation of PBF and EBF. The mother's education level and employment status before marriage, the amount of prenatal care, delivery method and baby's status at birth affected breast-feeding initiation, whereas the amount of prenatal care influenced breast-feeding duration.

To promote breast-feeding, education and campaigning on the importance of continued breast-feeding should be provided to the general public, particularly to health workers in maternity units.