[Breastfeeding difficulties and influence in the early weaning]

Abstract

The study aimed to verify the average time of exclusive breastfeeding (AME) of infants born at Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and to associate it with the following variables: marital status, mother's age, infant's weight, difficulties found and instructions received. This is a cohort study with a sample of 225 mothers interviewed postpartum and on the 15th, 30th, 60th, 120th and 180th days after discharge, by telephone. The monitoring of AME showed median of 113 days and 34,1% of the mothers kept it for up 180 days. There was a significant statistical correlation between the time of AME and difficulties found. There was no significant statistical correlation between time of AME and the variables: marital status, mother's age, infant's weight and instructions received. This research showed increased weaning at 60 days in women who have had difficulty in pre-discharge. The study showed the positive influence of the BFHI in adherence of mothers to the AME.