Weaning practices among breastfeeding women who weaned prior to six months postpartum.
We describe weaning practices among 222 breastfeeding mothers who weaned their babies < or = 6 months postpartum. After initiating weaning, one fourth of participants weaned within 2 days and three fourths by 14 days (range, 0-90 days). Shorter weaning duration was associated with earlier ages at weaning. After adjustment for time of weaning, women who returned to work were more likely to take > 3 days to wean (odds ratio = 2.98; 95% confidence interval = 1.53, 5.79). Women weaning in < or = 3 days versus 4 or more days were more likely to report binding their breasts (31% or 15%, P = .007) or using ice packs (9% vs 1%, P = .0006) and were more likely to report feeling happier since weaning (23% vs 9%, P = .005). Most women weaning < or = 6 months postpartum took 4 or more days to wean their baby. Experience and anecdote have been the norm in informing weaning practices. This study is a first step toward more rigorous evaluation.
Neighbors
Katie A
KA
Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, USA.
Gillespie
Brenda
B
Schwartz
Kendra
K
Foxman
Betsy
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014886:Weaning; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology