Table 4

Most frequently reported reasons for breastfeeding discontinuation by duration of breastfeeding among women who initiated breastfeeding (N = 181)*


< 2 weeks
(n = 41)
2 weeks-2 months
(n = 59)
2–4 months
(n = 56)
> 4 months
(n = 25)

Reason
N
%‡
N
%‡
N
%‡
N
%‡
Nipple/breast problems
13
32%
11
19%
6
11%
0
0%
Insufficient milk
5
12%
15
25%
15
27%
6
24%
Schedule difficult
2
5%
10
17%
9
16%
8
32%
Baby refused
7
17%
15
25%
17
30%
4
16%
Did not want to
7
17%
2
3%
0
0%
3
12%
Other
10
24%
10
17%
12
21%
6
24%

*A total of 201 women breastfeed, but the reason for discontinuation was missing for 3 women and unknown for 17 women still breastfeeding at the end of the study. †Reasons infrequently reported in all groups were "I (mother) was ill/weak," "baby was ill/weak," "I didn't want to pass dangerous things through breastmilk," and "I was never taught or didn't know how." ‡Percentages may exceed 100% because some women listed multiple reasons for not breastfeeding and because of rounding.

England et al. BMC Public Health 2003 3:28   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-3-28