[The factors facilitating and constraining the continuation of breastfeeding in women in Estrie (Quebec)].
OBJECTIVE
To document breastfeeding rates from birth to six months as well as the factors facilitating and constraining the continuation of breastfeeding in women in the Eastern Townships of Quebec and to compare these to the results obtained in 1999.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire sent to 374 mothers who had breastfed and analysis of archival data.


RESULTS
Breastfeeding rates were 86.3% at birth and 75% at discharge from hospital in all mothers who gave birth to a child in 2004-2005. Breastfeeding rates in the 272 mothers who answered the questionnaire were reported to be 67.3% and 47.4% at three and six months respectively. Results indicate that 8.9% of infants were still receiving breast milk exclusively after the third month. However, 27.9% of the mothers had stopped breastfeeding during the infant's first week. Support from the nurses was the primary factor facilitating breastfeeding. The main reasons the mothers gave for stopping breastfeeding were problems with breastfeeding and fatigue.


CONCLUSIONS
Breastfeeding rates in this area of Quebec have increased significantly in the past five years and are comparable with those in the rest of Canada. Breastfeeding exclusively up to six months is rare, and initiatives to support breastfeeding mothers in the hospital and in the community are having success.
Bell
Linda
L
Ecole des sciences infirmieres, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec. linda.bell@usherbrooke.ca
Lacombe
Marie
M
Yergeau
Eric
E
Moutquin
Jean-Marie
JM
Tribble
Denise St-cyr
DS
Royer
Francine
F
Garant
Marie-Pierre
MP
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011792:Quebec; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires