Factors associated with breastfeeding duration

The assessment of the factors associated with breastfeeding duration helps in creation of a national policy according to the World Health Organization strategy and recommendations. The objective of the study was to identify the factors associated with breastfeeding duration.

These analyses are based on a sample of mothers with babies attending one family health center in Kaunas, Lithuania. Completed questionnaires were obtained from 195 mothers (response rate, 97.5%). One year later, the same respondents, who had 1-year-old children, answered questions of the second questionnaire.

Half (53.8%) of the surveyed women breastfed for 3-5 months, 29.7% for 6 months and more, and 16.5% of the respondents breastfed for less than 3 months. The oldest (31-40 years) women breastfed their babies significantly longer than the youngest (<20 years) mothers. The mothers with a higher education breastfed their babies significantly longer than the less educated mothers. The married women breastfed longer than single or living with a partner. The mothers who did not give extra fluids and pacifiers breastfed significantly longer than the women who gave them. The majority of the mothers who had sore nipples, milk stasis, and mastitis breastfed for only up to 3 months.

Mothers at risk of short breastfeeding duration should be targeted as a group for breastfeeding promotion early in the pregnancy. The education of healthcare professionals who provide prenatal and postnatal care allows them to choose women who need additional breastfeeding support.