title: Breast-feeding Duration: Early Weaning-Do We Sufficiently Consider the Risk Factors?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Breast-feeding is the recommended form of nutrition for the first 6 months. This target is unmet, however, in most industrialized regions. We evaluated aspects of breast-feeding in a cohort of mother-baby dyads.
  
  
  METHODS
  Breast-feeding practices in 555 mother-baby dyads were prospectively studied for 24 months (personal interview at birth and 7 structured telephone interviews).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the babies, 71.3% were fully breast-fed on discharge from maternity hospitals and 11.9% were partially breast-feed. Median breast-feeding duration was 6.93 (interquartile range 2.57-11.00) months; for full (exclusive) breast-feeding 5.62 (interquartile range 3.12-7.77) months; 61.7% received supplemental feedings during the first days of life. Breast-feeding duration in babies receiving supplemental feedings was significantly shorter (median 5.06 months versus 8.21 months, P < 0.001). At 6 months, 9.4% of the mothers were exclusively and 39.5% partially breast-feeding. Risk factors for early weaning were early supplemental feedings (odds ratio [OR] 2.87, 95% CI 1.65-4.98), perceived milk insufficiency (OR 7.35, 95% CI 3.59-15.07), low breast-feeding self-efficacy (a mother's self-confidence in her ability to adequately feed her baby) (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.48-7.94), lower maternal age (OR 3.89, 95% CI 1.45-10.46), and lower education level of the mother (OR 7.30, 95% CI 2.93-18.20).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The recommended full breast-feeding duration of the first 6 months of life was not reached. Sociodemographic variables and factors directly related to breast-feeding practices play an important role on breast-feeding duration/weaning in our region. Understanding risk factors will provide insights to give better support to mothers and prevent short- and long-term morbidity following early weaning.
authors.affiliation: *Clinic for Pediatrics I, Inherited Metabolic Disorders †Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck ‡University of Applied Sciences Tyrol, Midwifery §Clinic for Pediatrics II, Neonatology, Medical University Innsbruck ||Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Tyrolean State Hospitals Ltd, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karall
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ndayisaba
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heichlinger
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kiechl-Kohlendorfer
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stojakovic
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leitner
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scholl-Bürgi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001940:Breast; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation; D008895:Milk, Human; D009035:Mothers; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014886:Weaning