[Critical moments for weaning in a 6-month follow-up study]

To identify critical moments for discontinuing full breast feeding (FBF) and any breast feeding (BF) in the first 6 months.

We performed an observational, 6-month follow-up study of an accidental sample of 270 mothers with healthy breastfed infants. Survival analyses and the incidence rates (IR) of discontinuance of FBF and ABF every fortnight were obtained.

Loss to follow-up: 10% at 4 months and 17% at 6 months. The median length of FBF was 120 days (95% CI = 111.17-128.83) and the median length of BF was 171 days (95% CI =151.40-190.60). The median duration of partial breast feeding (PBF) was 30 days (95% CI=19.49-40.51). IR peaks of BF were found in the first and second weeks and after week 17. Increases of the IR of BF coincided with IR peaks of FBF and also included subsequent weeks.

The highest IR for discontinuance of BF were found at hospital discharge and return to work. PBF was related to weaning. These results suggest the need to increase support after discharge, especially to mothers PBF and those returning to work.