| Oakley, L., Henderson, J., Redshaw, M., & Quigley, M.A. (2014). The role of support and other factors in early breastfeeding cessation: an analysis of data from a maternity survey in England. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 14, 2-12. |
| Type of study / population |
Data was collected from a sample of 3840 women aged ≥18 years who delivered term newborns in 2009 in England. The data was collected through the application of questionnaires, three months after the baby's birth. A logistic regression was used to verify the association between postnatal support and other factors, and discontinuation of breastfeeding at 10 days and six weeks after the birth of the child. |
| Interventions |
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| Results / outcomes |
Of the 3840 women who started breastfeeding and reported interruption of breastfeeding, 13% had done so on the 10th day; and of the 3354 women who were breastfeeding on the 10th day after the birth of the newborn, 17% discontinued breastfeeding at six weeks. The authors stated that socio-demographic factors (maternal age, ethnicity, country of birth, socioeconomic level, schooling level) and the intervention of health professionals in prenatal preparation were associated with the initiative to breastfeed, regardless of whether they chose to discontinue breastfeeding on the 10th day and at 6 weeks. Women who have not received advice about breastfeeding or support from a peer group, the child's father and of health professionals, were more likely to stop breastfeeding on the 10th day. The support and encouragement received from midwives are associated with a lower chance of discontinuation of breastfeeding in both samples at 10 days and at 6 weeks. |
| Conclusions |
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| Critical review of quality |
Although several factors influence the probability of a mother continuing breastfeeding, it is evident that sociodemographic factors are strongly associated with continued breastfeeding until at least six months of the child's life. The estimated results suggest that between 34-59% of cases of discontinuation of breastfeeding by day 10 could be avoided if more women in the study sample had received specialized support about breastfeeding. |
