Risk factors for exclusive breastfeeding lasting less than two months—Identifying women in need of targeted breastfeeding support

BACKGROUND Breastfeeding rates in Sweden are declining, and it is important to identify women at risk for early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding lasting less than two months postpartum. METHODS A population-based longitudinal study was conducted at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden. Six hundred and seventy-nine women were included in this sub-study. Questionnaires were sent at five days, six weeks and six months postpartum, including questions on breastfeeding initiation and duration as well as several other background variables. The main outcome measure was exclusive breastfeeding lasting less than two months postpartum. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used in order to calculate adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). RESULTS Seventy-seven percent of the women reported exclusive breastfeeding at two months postpartum. The following variables in the multivariate regression analysis were independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding lasting less than two months postpartum: being a first time mother (AOR 2.15, 95% CI 1.32-3.49), reporting emotional distress during pregnancy (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.35-3.62) and giving birth by cesarean section (AOR 2.63, 95% CI 1.34-5.17). CONCLUSIONS Factors associated with shorter exclusive breastfeeding duration were determined. Identification of women experiencing emotional distress during pregnancy, as well as scrutiny of caregiving routines on cesarean section need to be addressed, in order to give individual targeted breastfeeding support and promote longer breastfeeding duration.