Factors associated with cessation of exclusive breastfeeding at 1 and 2 months postpartum in Taiwan

Pei-Chi Chang, Sin-Fong Li, Hsin-Yi Yang, Li-Chu Wang, Cing-Ya Weng, Kuan-Fen Chen, Wei Chen, Sheng-Yu Fan, Pei-Chi Chang, Sin-Fong Li, Hsin-Yi Yang, Li-Chu Wang, Cing-Ya Weng, Kuan-Fen Chen, Wei Chen, Sheng-Yu Fan

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding benefits both mothers and infants. Even though Taiwan national policy promotes exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), the rates in Taiwan are below those in other developed countries. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with EBF cessation at 1 and 2 months postpartum.

Methods: This study was conducted in a community hospital in southern Taiwan between December 2016 and June 2017. Birth mothers (n = 1077) were interviewed by telephone at 1 and 2 months postpartum to collect information on infant feeding patterns (EBF since birth or not) and reasons for EBF cessation. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine risk factors associated with EBF cessation at 1 and 2 months.

Results: At 1 month, 432 participants (40.1%) maintained EBF. Factors associated with cessation were lack of tertiary education, primiparity, perceived low milk quantity, mother/infant separation, medical condition in mother, inconvenience/fatigue due to breastfeeding, and baby-centered factors. At 2 months, 316 participants (29.3%) maintained EBF. Factors associated with cessation were lack of tertiary education, primiparity, perceived low milk quantity, and return to work.

Conclusions: Education level, primiparity, perceived low milk quantity, and return to work are associated with premature cessation of EBF in Taiwan. Strategies about health education, family support, and baby-mother friendly environment can be used to achieve higher EBF rate.

Keywords: Breastfeeding cessation; Exclusive breastfeeding; Risk factors.

Conflict of interest statement

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital (IRB number: 2018040). Signed informed consent was obtained from all eligible mothers who delivered healthy babies at term.Not applicable.The authors declare that they have no competing interests.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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