Breastfeeding duration: prenatal intentions and postnatal practices

Abstract

A study of 78 primiparas examined the role of prenatal intent and postnatal experiences in breastfeeding duration. Those fully breastfeeding 3 months after the birth of the baby had a higher level of education, timed their decision to breastfeed earlier, intended to breastfeed longer and had a more negative attitude to formula feeding. Commitment and confidence scores were not related to breastfeeding duration in first-time mothers. Breastfeeding duration was also related to the timing of the first breastfeed and extent of mother-infant contact in the 72 hours after birth but not to the number of feeding problems.