Factors related to successful breast feeding by first-time mothers when the child is 3 months old.

The aim of the reported study was to gain information on those factors which contribute to the success of breast feeding in first-time mothers when the child is 3 months old. The study is part of a wider longitudinal project which follows-up the growth to motherhood of first-time mothers in Finland over a period of 8 months postpartum. Data collection was by questionnaires distributed between March and September 1995. The sample comprised 271 first-time mothers. The mothers completed the questionnaires when their infants were 3 months old. The analysis applied was a polychotomic logistic regression analysis. When the child was 3 months old those mothers who perceived themselves competent as mothers and who felt that society appreciated motherhood appropriately coped better with breast feeding. Also, those mothers who had worked at home prior to the birth of the child and who felt that breast feeding was important in motherhood coped better with breast feeding. Those mothers whose state of mind was more balanced after the birth coped better with breast feeding. The more affirmation the mother received from members of her social network the better she coped with breast feeding. The research findings suggest that factors influencing successful breast feeding in first-time mothers at 3 months postpartum are the mother's own resources and attitude to breast feeding, support from the social network and the current appreciation of breast feeding in society.