Factors related to early termination of breast feeding. A retrospective study in Sweden

Abstract

In 1972, 298 mothers representative of the city of Uppsala in general breast fed their babies for only a brief period of time despite a clear wish to continue--36% up to 8 weeks. The most common reason for terminating breast feeding was that the "milk dried up" (66%). More precise reasons commonly mentioned were anxiety of all kinds, lack of motivation, stress, tiredness and work outside the home. It was further found that mothers who enjoyed their breast feeding, were well educated, were older than 25 years and belonged to social class 1, tended to breast feed longest.