| Odom, E.C., Ruowei Li, M.D., Scanlon, K.S, Perrine, C.G., & Grummer-Strawn, L. (2015). Reasons for Earlier Than Desired Cessation of Breastfeeding. Pediatrics, 131(3), 726-732. |
| Type of study / population |
The study aimed to describe the prevalence and factors associated with the duration of breastfeeding. Data were analyzed from 1177 mothers aged ≥18 years who responded to monthly surveys during pregnancy until their child was 1 year old. When they discontinued breastfeeding, the mothers were asked to assess the importance of 32 reasons underlying the discontinuation of breastfeeding on a 4-point Likert scale. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to examine the association between the importance of each ratio and the likelihood of mothers not prolonging the desired duration of breastfeeding. |
| Interventions |
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| Results / outcomes |
Approximately 60% of the mothers who stopped breastfeeding did so earlier than desired; this decision being associated with mothers' concerns about: (1) difficulties with lactation; (2) baby's weight loss; (3) illness or need to take medication; (4) blockage of the breast ducts. |
| Conclusions |
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| Critical review of quality |
They found that mothers who interrupted breastfeeding before the desired time referred as the main reasons for concerns about lactation, infant nutrition and weight loss of the baby, due to the mother's illness or the need to take medication, as well as blockage of the ducts breastfeeding, problems related to psychosocial management, such as having to leave the child for several hours, conflicts in their lifestyle and child self-weaning. |
