Factors influencing breastfeeding behaviour
Jeeson, U.C.; Richard, J.
Indian Pediatrics 26(10): 997-1002
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 2630464 Document Number: 370657
The influence of nine socio-demographic factors (family size; child spacing; socio-economic status; mother's employment, education, age and weight; birth weight; and father's education) on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding was studied in a group of urban mothers. Only a small fraction (15%) of the wide variability in breastfeeding behaviour could be related to these factors. Educated mothers alone started artificial feeds significantly earlier (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that the decision to breastfeed is largely an individual one and not related in any simple way to the easily measurable characteristics.