Factors related to early termination of breast-feeding in an urban population.
A prospective study of breast-feeding mothers was undertaken to determine the effect of formula samples and other hospital-related factors on success in breast-feeding. Of the 166 nursing mothers studied for 4 months postpartum, 83% breast-fed for 1 month, 73% for 10 weeks, and 58% for 4 months or longer. Breast-feeding duration was not affected by formula samples given at discharge from the hospital. Factors correlating significantly with improved breast-feeding rates include maternal age, maternal education, nonsmoking, previous breast-feeding, planned pregnancy, initiation of breast-feeding in the first 16 hours, and minimization of formula supplementation in the nursery. Partial breast-feeding (supplementing more than one bottle of formula per day, measured at 1 month postpartum) was associated with shorter breast-feeding duration. This latter effect was minimized by frequent nursing (seven or more times per day), despite formula supplementation.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002641:Chicago; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population