MATERNAL SOCIAL, BIOMEDICAL, AND NEWBORN FACTORS’ IMPACT ON MOTHER’S OWN MILK FEEDING DURATION

Abstract

Object. To evaluate maternal social, biomedical and newborn factor’s impact on mother’s own milk feeding duration. Methods. A questionnaire research was performed. 282 mothers who gave birth in Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Hospital Kaunas clinics were selected randomly. Participants were interviewed during a hospital stay, after 12 and 29 mos. since giving birth. Statistical data analysis was performed. Results. The average duration of breastfeeding was 11,24±8,74 mos. Statistically significant factors were found to influence the duration of breastfeeding: mother’s age, education, siblings, pregnancy classes, mother’s analgesia during birth, pregnancy health issues, newborn’s weight at birth, APGAR score, gestational age, skin-to-skin contact, early breastfeeding initiation, newborn’s location in a hospital, planned breastfeeding duration. Pacifier shortened the duration of breastfeeding when given in the first 6 mos. of life. The most common reasons to discontinue breastfeeding were absence/lack of breast milk and mother’s decision to stop. Conclusions. Women who have risk factors listed above should be considered at risk for shorter breastfeeding.