AIMS: Evaluation of factors influencing the incidence and duration of breastfeeding. METHODS: In a retrospective study we sent a questionnaire to the parents of 1518 infants born consecutively in the Center of Perinatology at the Danube Hospital, Vienna, during a 10 months period. The questionnaire consisted of items addressing duration of breastfeeding, time of initiation of formula supplement, support in breastfeeding and the time mothers were provided with information on breastfeeding. Data on mothers age, parity, mode of delivery, duration of pregnancy and infants birth weight were taken from the records. RESULTS: 95% of mothers began breastfeeding, 56% continued breastfeeding for more than 5 months. The impression or fact of no support was associated with a higher rate of not breastfeeding (p < 0.001). "Little support" was associated with a higher rate of terminating breastfeeding during the first three months and with a lower rate of breastfeeding for more than 5 months (p < 0.01). Provided information on breastfeeding shows no effect on the duration of breastfeeding, but "no information" corresponds with not breastfeeding (p < 0.01). Mothers who got repeated information breastfed longer (p < 0.01). The number of mothers who did not breastfeed and was higher among three or multipare compared to primipare (p < 0.025). They also breastfed shorter (p < 0.05). Mothers under 20 years of age more often terminated breastfeeding in the first month (p < 0.001). Low birth weight (< 2000 g) and caesarean sectio increased the number of mothers who did not breastfeed (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Repeated information and individual support increases the number of breastfeeding mothers and the duration of breastfeeding. Additional support should be provided for mothers under 20 years of age, three and multiparae and mothers after caesarean sectio.
AIMS: Evaluation of factors influencing the incidence and duration of breastfeeding. METHODS: In a retrospective study we sent a questionnaire to the parents of 1518 infants born consecutively in the Center of Perinatology at the Danube Hospital, Vienna, during a 10 months period. The questionnaire consisted of items addressing duration of breastfeeding, time of initiation of formula supplement, support in breastfeeding and the time mothers were provided with information on breastfeeding. Data on mothers age, parity, mode of delivery, duration of pregnancy and infants birth weight were taken from the records. RESULTS: 95% of mothers began breastfeeding, 56% continued breastfeeding for more than 5 months. The impression or fact of no support was associated with a higher rate of not breastfeeding (p < 0.001). "Little support" was associated with a higher rate of terminating breastfeeding during the first three months and with a lower rate of breastfeeding for more than 5 months (p < 0.01). Provided information on breastfeeding shows no effect on the duration of breastfeeding, but "no information" corresponds with not breastfeeding (p < 0.01). Mothers who got repeated information breastfed longer (p < 0.01). The number of mothers who did not breastfeed and was higher among three or multipare compared to primipare (p < 0.025). They also breastfed shorter (p < 0.05). Mothers under 20 years of age more often terminated breastfeeding in the first month (p < 0.001). Low birth weight (< 2000 g) and caesarean sectio increased the number of mothers who did not breastfeed (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Repeated information and individual support increases the number of breastfeeding mothers and the duration of breastfeeding. Additional support should be provided for mothers under 20 years of age, three and multiparae and mothers after caesarean sectio.