Women’s Satisfaction with Breastfeeding and Risk of Exclusive Breastfeeding Interruption

Abstract

This prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the association between women’s satisfaction with breastfeeding at 1 month post-partum and the risk of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) interruption before 6 months. 287 mother–infant dyads randomly selected from two maternity hospitals were followed from birth to 24 months of infant’s age. Women’s satisfaction with breastfeeding was assessed using the Maternal Breastfeeding Evaluation Scale (MBFES) at 1 month. The association between women’s satisfaction with breastfeeding and risk of EBF interruption before 6 months was estimated using Cox proportional hazards model. Kaplan–Meier survival curves for EBF were compared between women with lower satisfaction with breastfeeding (MBFES score < median 124) and those with higher satisfaction (MBFES score ≥ 124). Median EBF duration in women with higher satisfaction was 120 days (95%CI 109–131), vs. 26 days (95%CI 19–33) in less satisfied women. Each additional point on MBFES promoted a reduction of 2.0% in the risk of EBF interruption. Among women with satisfaction scores < 124, the risk of EBF interruption was 86% higher when compared with those ≥ 124 (adjusted hazard ratio 1.86; 95%CI 1.41–2.46). Lower maternal satisfaction with breastfeeding in the first month post-partum is associated with a higher risk of EBF interruption before 6 months.