Factors determining the suspension of breast-feeding in an urban population group.

A retrospective study of breastfeeding patterns in a socioeconomically homogeneous sample of 2520 mothers visiting Mexican outpatient clinics was conducted. During May and June 1975, mothers attending the outpatient departments of 4 clinics of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) were interviewed. The mothers ranged in age from 15 to 48 years. In 56.1% of the cases, the child's father was a laborer; in 19.5% he performed domestic services activities; and in 15.9% he held a commercial or administrative position. 22.5% of the mothers did renumerative work. To analyze factors relating to the suspension of breastfeeding, the mothers who had practiced breastfeeding (i.e., had practiced it for a month or more) were divided into 2 groups: those who had fed their infants from the breast for 1-3 months, and those who had continued to do so for 4 months or more. In 1061 cases (42.7% of the total), the mothers cited a lack or insufficiency of milk; 1/2 the mothers citing this cause breastfed their infants but did so for only 1-3 months. Other common reasons given for early suspension of breastfeeding were that the child failed to accept the breast or hurt it, breast infection or maternal illness, sickness of the child, and job problems. Mothers who did not practice breastfeeding often cited absent or insufficient milk, growth of the child, rejection of the breast, or another pregnancy as their reasons. Powdered milk was used in 1868 cases and was particularly favored when breastfeeding was not practiced or was practiced for 3 months or less. In 662 cases some kind of substitute milk was introduced before breastfeeding ended.