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Breastfeeding Duration in an Australian Population: The Influence of Modifiable Antenatal Factors

Royal Women’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia

Debra K. Creedy, RN, PhD

Centre for Practice Innovation in Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

Cindy-Lee Dennis, RN, PhD

University of Toronto, Faculty of Nursing, Canada

Wendy Moyle, RN, PhD

Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

Jan Pratt, RN, M Hlth Sc

Community Child Health Service in Brisbane, Australia

Susan M. De Vries, RN, MPH

Community Child Health Service, Royal Children’s Hospital Health District, Brisbane, Australia

Genevieve N. Healy, BSc, BScApp

Perinatal Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia

Despite well-documented health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies, most women discontinue breastfeeding before the recommended 12 months to 2 years. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of modifiable antenatal variables on breastfeeding outcomes. A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted with 300 pregnant, Australian women. Questionnaires containing variables of interest were administered to women during their last trimester; infant feeding method was assessed at 1 week and 4 months postpartum. Intended breastfeeding duration and breastfeeding self-efficacy were identified as the most significant modifiable variables predictive of breastfeeding outcomes. Mothers who intended to breastfeed for < 6 months were 2.4 times as likely to have discontinued breastfeeding at 4 months compared to those who intended to breastfeed for > 12 months (35.7% vs 87.5%). Similarly, mothers with high breastfeeding self-efficacy were more likely to be breastfeeding compared to mothers with low self-efficacy (79.3% vs 50.0%). J Hum Lact. 20(1):30-38.

Key Words: breastfeeding • duration • antenatal • modifiable variables • predictive model • breastfeeding self-efficacy

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