Predicting duration of breast feeding in a group of urban primiparae

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Abstract
Infant‐feeding practices during the first month postpartum, social support, and sociodemographic variables were examined in a group of breast‐feeding primiparae (n=109) to determine which variables were most predictive of a short duration of breast feeding. Thirty‐two percent of the women breast fed for four months or less. They gave as primary reasons for stopping breast feeding return to work, baby rejected the breast, and insufficient milk. Using logistic regression analysis, short duration of breast feeding (≤ 4 months) was best predicted by three factors: formula supplementation on a regular basis from hospital discharge to one month (p<0.001), low paternal education (p<0.002), and supplementation with sterile water in hospital (p=0.02). Early formula supplementation occurred primarily because of insufficient milk or return to work and was associated with a 3.9 fold increase in short‐term breast feeding. The results of this study emphasize that supplementary formula feeds in the first month post‐partum portend a short duration of breast feeding.