title: [Prevalence and duration of breastfeeding during the first six months of life: factors affecting an early cessation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the mean duration, prevalence and reasons that lead to an early cessation of breastfeeding in a group of healthy term infants in the first six months of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, observational study. One-hundred Caucasian, non smoking mothers, that intended to breastfeed for at least 12 weeks, were enrolled. Information on anthropometric parameters, type of delivery, socio-demographic characteristics, mode of feeding and reasons for stopping breastfeeding have been obtained through three different questionnaires (submitted at enrollment, on the 7th day, at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exclusive breastfeeding gradually decreased from the 7th day to the 6th month of life. Most of the mothers stopped breastfeeding during the first month and a half or after 3 months and a half. Two percent of the mothers stopped on the 7th day whereas at 6 months the percentage of cessation was 14%. The cumulative percentage of interruption at 6th month was 45%. Maternal factors, like sore nipples or delayed onset of lactation, were the most frequent reasons that led to an early cessation, while during the following months inadequate breast milk and latch-on problems were predominant. On the other hand, attending a pre-natal course or having a previous successful breastfeeding experience were significantly associated with a long-lasting breastfeeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Promotion of breastfeeding during the prenatal course and a better support for lactation management during the first months seem to be the areas where more efforts are needed to implement breastfeeding rates.
authors: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Clinical Science and Comunity Health, Fondazione IRCCS "Ca' Granda" Ospedale Maggiore Políclinico, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, Italy. francesca.garbarino@hotmail.it
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Garbarino
authors: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Clinical Science and Comunity Health, Fondazione IRCCS "Ca' Granda" Ospedale Maggiore Políclinico, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Morniroli
authors: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Clinical Science and Comunity Health, Fondazione IRCCS "Ca' Granda" Ospedale Maggiore Políclinico, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Ghirardi
authors: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Clinical Science and Comunity Health, Fondazione IRCCS "Ca' Granda" Ospedale Maggiore Políclinico, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Garavaglia
authors: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Clinical Science and Comunity Health, Fondazione IRCCS "Ca' Granda" Ospedale Maggiore Políclinico, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Bracco
authors: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Clinical Science and Comunity Health, Fondazione IRCCS "Ca' Granda" Ospedale Maggiore Políclinico, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Gianní
authors: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Clinical Science and Comunity Health, Fondazione IRCCS "Ca' Granda" Ospedale Maggiore Políclinico, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Roggero
authors: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Clinical Science and Comunity Health, Fondazione IRCCS "Ca' Granda" Ospedale Maggiore Políclinico, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Mosca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult