title: Reasons for earlier than desired cessation of breastfeeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the prevalence and factors associated with not meeting desired breastfeeding duration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed from 1177 mothers aged ≥18 years who responded to monthly surveys from pregnancy until their child was 1 year old. When breastfeeding stopped, mothers were asked whether they breastfed as long as they wanted (yes or no) and to rate the importance of 32 reasons for stopping on a 4-point Likert scale. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the association between the importance of each reason and the likelihood of mothers not meeting their desired breastfeeding duration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 60% of mothers who stopped breastfeeding did so earlier than desired. Early termination was positively associated with mothers' concerns regarding: (1) difficulties with lactation; (2) infant nutrition and weight; (3) illness or need to take medicine; and (4) the effort associated with pumping milk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that the major reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding before they desire include concerns about maternal or child health (infant nutrition, maternal illness or the need for medicine, and infant illness) and processes associated with breastfeeding (lactation and milk-pumping problems). Continued professional support may be necessary to address these challenges and help mothers meet their desired breastfeeding duration.
authors: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. ecodom@cdc.gov
authors: Erika C
authors: EC
authors: Odom
authors: Ruowei
authors: R
authors: Li
authors: Kelley S
authors: KS
authors: Scanlon
authors: Cria G
authors: CG
authors: Perrine
authors: Laurence
authors: L
authors: Grummer-Strawn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000639:trends*; D061186:Breast Milk Expression / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D003625:Data Collection / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007229:Infant Welfare / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008429:Maternal Welfare / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D009042:Motivation; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult