Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 3, 4 and 6 months in Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 3, 4, and 6 months postpartum in women who delivered at Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital, and to evaluate the potential factors for continuation of exclusive breastfeeding.


METHODS
A prospective descriptive study was performed in 210 mothers who delivered in the authors' institution between December 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007. All eligible subjects were interviewed before discharge from the hospital. The successive postpartum interviews were then conducted via telephone at 3, 4, and 6 months after delivery.


RESULTS
Average maternal age was 27 years and over half (54.3%) were primipara. Rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 3, 4, and 6 months were 48%, 26%, and 11% respectively. Significant factors for exclusive breastfeeding were duration allowed for work absence and intended time to breastfeed.


CONCLUSIONS
Approximately half of the mothers in the present study provided exclusive breastfeeding to their babies in the first 3-month postpartum. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months was lower than the 30% goal of the 9th National Economic and Social Development Plan. The need to return to work and intended time to breastfeed were the significant factors affecting duration of exclusive breastfeeding.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Pakorn93@yahoo.com
Pakorn
P
Laisiriruangrai
Budsaba
B
Wiriyasirivaj
Chadakarn
C
Phaloprakarn
Sumonmal
S
Manusirivithaya
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012577:Schools, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors