Factors Influencing Breastfeeding Prevalence, Duration and Practices: A Longitudinal Study

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for at least the first 6 months of life. The determinants of breastfeeding include factors related to the mother, child and family, health care system, public health policies, and social policies and culture. Objective: To determine the association of individual and perinatal healthcare factors with breastfeeding prevalence, duration, and practices. Methods: This longitudinal study enrolled 298 women, giving birth at the Hospital of Perugia. Data were collected through questionnaire-based survey at discharge, at three and six months postpartum. Results: Prevalence of any breastfeeding was 98.66% at discharge (exclusive breastfeeding: 75.17%), 84.44% at three months and 83.94% at six months. Most women were nulliparous, not attending antenatal group education, birthing naturally, without labour analgesia/anaesthesia and never-smokers. Any breastfeeding at three months and exclusive breastfeeding at three months were strongly associated with antenatal group education, no labour analgesia/anaesthesia, early skin-to-skin contact and support for breastfeeding during the first three months postpartum. Any breastfeeding at six months was significantly associated with multiparity and support for breastfeeding during the first three months postpartum. No smoking at childbirth influenced breastfeeding at three months and at six months. Conclusion: Our findings reflect the complexity of infant feeding and suggest a list of factors of antenatal and postnatal care as targets for focused evidence-based interventions aimed to promote breastfeeding.