Mothers’ expectations and other factors affecting breastfeeding at six months in Greece

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the factors influencing breastfeeding duration in Greece. A total of 145 women were interviewed, on the third day post-partum. Women were followed up by telephone interviews at three and six months post-partum. Chi-square test and binomial sequential logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results from this study show that baby-friendly hospital, antenatal courses, mother's perception of her capability to successfully breastfeed her infant, mother's intention to breastfeed for a duration of six months or more, mother's and father's education level, introduction of complementary foods or fluids, caesarean delivery, smoking and ethnicity were significantly associated with the duration of breastfeeding. In conclusion, additional antenatal and postnatal framework is necessary. Mothers' prediction of the duration of breastfeeding is an additional tool for identification of women with a high probability for early weaning.

Measuring the Effectiveness of a Midwife-led Education Programme in Terms of Breastfeeding Knowledge and Self-efficacy, Attitudes Towards Breastfeeding, and Perceived Barriers of Breastfeeding Among Pregnant Women

“…These are all factors strongly related to extended breastfeeding (18, 21, 22, 24) and thus highly important modifiable factors when promoting continued breastfeeding. Similar to our findings, several other studies conclude that antenatal breastfeeding education has a positive effect on breastfeeding knowledge (41-44) and education in the antenatal period seems to be more effective in increasing exclusive breastfeeding, partial breastfeeding (10) and breastfeeding knowledge levels (45). Consistent with the above findings, research has also shown that antenatal education has a positive impact on breastfeeding attitudes (41, 42) and on breastfeeding self-efficacy (46, 47).…”

“…In Greece, the initiation rates of breastfeeding are high (85-94%) (9, 10), but breastfeeding rates decrease rapidly over the next months; to 55% after the first month (11) and to 12-22% at the end of the sixth month (10, 11). Exclusive breastfeeding rates at six months of age range from 0,3-23,4% (10, 11-13). However, these data lack of standardization of definitions and methods used to monitor breastfeeding rates and duration making it difficult to compare these rates among other countries.…”

Increase of breast-feeding in the past decade in Greece, but still low uptake: cross-sectional studies in 2007 and 2017

“…We found that maternal educational attainment was a significant predictive factor for breast-feeding; this association is in fact one of the most consistent associations in the relevant literature (8,10,34,35) . We identified private insurance of the mother, an indicator of socio-economic status, to be independently associated with higher EBF at the 1st month.…”

A community-based prospective cohort study of exclusive breastfeeding in central Nepal

“…Breastfeeding problem and caesarean delivery are well established risk factors for the cessation of exclusive breastfeeding [13, 28, 29]. Breastfeeding problems such as inverted, cracked or sore nipples can impact on the lactation decision and practice, while caesarean section can affect the secretion of breastmilk as well as the general health condition of the mother to exclusively breastfeed.…”