title: Factors predicting early discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding in the first month of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate factors associated with discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding in the first month of lactation, in the city of Feira de Santana, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study with follow-up of 1,309 mother-child pairs selected from all maternities in the municipality. Data were collected in hospital and in home visits during the first month of life. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between outcome and variables of interest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lack of prior breastfeeding experience (PR 1.24; 95%CI 1.75-1.43), cracked nipples (PR 1.25; 95%CI 1.09-1.43), use of fixed breastfeeding schedules (PR 1.42; 95%CI 1.09-1.84) and pacifier use (PR 1.53; 95%CI 1.34-1.76) were identified as factors predicting discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measures to prevent early discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding must focus on women without breastfeeding experience and include prevention of nipple trauma, encourage breastfeeding on demand, and discourage the use of pacifiers.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (UEFS), Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil. gracietevieira@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Graciete O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Camilla C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Tatiana O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Nelson F de
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Luciana R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D049590:Postpartum Period; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014886:Weaning