Factors associated with discontinuance of breastfeeding

Abstract

Objetivos

Detectar los posibles factores que pueden estar influyendo en el abandono de la lactancia materna. Métodos

Estudio prospectivo de 545 mujeres que dieron a luz en la red pública de Gran Canaria hasta los 6 meses tras el parto, mientras siguieran con lactancia materna. La hipótesis de asociación entre las variables se contrastó mediante el test de la chi cuadrado. Para los factores significativamente asociados con la lactancia materna se estimaron las odds ratio ajustadas por el resto de los factores utilizando el método logit. Resultados

Haber decidido con anterioridad al parto dar lactancia materna, haber recibido información sobre lactancia materna por parte de sanitarios durante la gestación, tener una mayor edad, ser universitaria, haber transcurrido poco tiempo desde el parto hasta la primera puesta al pecho, el no haber dado biberón los primeros días y el tener un parto eutócico son factores facilitadores para la continuidad de la lactancia materna. La decisión de interrumpir la lactancia materna es la mayoría de las veces de la propia mujer, y las causas están relacionadas con dificultades en la lactancia (poca leche, hambre del bebé) y con dificultades personales. Conclusiones

Una vez iniciada la lactancia materna, factores de atención prenatal, así como las prácticas hospitalarias, influyen de forma importante en su continuidad. El haber dado biberones en el hospital se asocia negativamente con la lactancia materna a los 15 días y a los 3 y 6 meses. En la continuidad de la lactancia materna influyen factores socioeconómicos y culturales, así como la edad, de forma determinante. En el abandono de la lactancia materna, las causas personales entre las que se incluye el trabajo, son más frecuentes con el paso del tiempo.

Objectives To determine possible factors that may influence the decision to stop breastfeeding. Methods We carried out a prospective study of 545 women who had given birth in the public hospitals of Gran Canaria. The study encompassed a 6-month postnatal lactation period. The chi-squared test was used to test the hypothesis of an association between variables. Odd-ratios were calculated for factors significantly associated with breastfeeding and were adjusted for the remaining factors using the logit method. Results Mothers were more likely to continue breastfeeding if they had made the decision to breastfeed before giving birth, had received information from health personnel during pregnancy, if they were older, if they were university graduates, if a short time had elapsed between giving birth and starting breast-feeding, if they had not given the baby a bottle in the first days after birth and if the birth had been normal without complications. The decision to stop breastfeeding was usually taken by the mother her self and was related to lactation problems (shortage of milk, the baby's hunger) and to personal difficulties. Conclusions Once breastfeeding has begun, prenatal care factors as well as hospital practices strongly influence its continuation. Bottle feeding in the hospital is negatively associated with breastfeeding at 15 days and at 3 and 6 months. Socioeconomic and cultural factors as well as age are also determining factors. Personal reasons for discontinuing breast-feeding, such as the demands of work, become more frequent over time.