title: The motivational determinants of breast-feeding: predictors for the continuation of breast-feeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the motivational determinants of the continuation of breast-feeding until 3 months postpartum.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study using the Integrated Change Model in 341 women in 5 child health care centers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At birth, 73% of the mothers started with breast-feeding and 39% of them continued at least 3 months postpartum. Mothers who continued for 3 months differed in almost all the motivational determinants from mothers who discontinued. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, social support for formula feeding from significant others and situational self-efficacy for breast-feeding made a significant independent contribution to the continuation of breast-feeding. Among the predisposing determinants, the strongest positive predictor of continuation was the intention to return to work at 1 month postpartum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Integrated Change Model is valid to explain and predict the continuation of breast-feeding. Hence, the results may be used to tailor future interventions aimed at promoting breast-feeding. In the discussion, we use the results to target interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (Caphri) and Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (Nutrim), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. elsanten@mgzl.nl
authors.forename: Els J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kools
authors.forename: Carel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thijs
authors.forename: Arnold D M
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kester
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Vries
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009042:Motivation; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009426:Netherlands; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires