Intenção de amamentar, aleitamento materno e motivos para o desmame entre mães do sul do Brasil

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the maternal intention to breastfeed, duration of the breastfeeding and reasons for weaning among mothers and babies from southern Brazil participating in a multi center study. This is a cohort study conducted in Pelotas, RS, with participants from the Multi-Centre Body Composition Study. Mothers and babies were enrolledat the hospital of delivery and were followed-up at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months of age. The reasons for weaning before 12 months were investigated. Median and interquartile intervals of breastfeeding duration were calculated. Of the 1377 mothers screened, 74% intended to exclusively breastfeed until 6 months and 91% to prolong the breastfeeding until at least 12 months. A total of 168 mother-child pairsmetall eligibility criteria and agreed to participate in the follow-up. The median of the breastfeeding duration was 11 months (IQR: 5.8-23.0 months), and 52% of the infants were weaned before 12 months. The main reasons for weaning were insufficient milk (57%), return to work/school (45%) and unexplained refusal of the baby (40%). The results showed that despite the intention to breastfeed, there is a need to clarify the mothers and families about issues related to breastfeeding.