Why do women stop breastfeeding? Findings from the pregnancy risk assessment and monitoring system

Objective. We examined breastfeeding behaviors, periods of vulnerability for breastfeeding cessation, reasons for breastfeeding cessation, and the association between predelivery intentions and breastfeeding behaviors. Study Design. Using 2 years ( 2000 and 2001) of data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System we assessed the percentage of women who began breastfeeding, continued for < 1 week, continued for 1 to 4 weeks, and continued for > 4 weeks and their reasons for not initiating or stopping. Predelivery breastfeeding intentions of women and their relationship with subsequent breastfeeding behaviors were examined also. Results. We found that 32% of women did not initiate breastfeeding, 4% started but stopped within the first week, 13% stopped within the first month, and 51% continued for > 4 weeks. Younger women and those with limited socioeconomic resources were more likely to stop breastfeeding within the first month. Reasons for cessation included sore nipples, inadequate milk supply, infant having difficulties, and the perception that the infant was not satiated. Women who intended to breastfeed, thought they might breastfeed, or had ambivalent feelings about breastfeeding were more likely to initiate breastfeeding and to continue through the vulnerable periods of early infancy than were those who did not plan to breastfeed. Conclusions. Our findings indicate a need to provide extensive breastfeeding support after delivery, particularly to women who may experience difficulties in breastfeeding.