Table 3.
Reasons for discontinuing breastfeeding or exclusive breastfeeding before four months
| Research site | Breast milk 'insufficient' (%) | Mother returning to work (%) | Maternal or child illness (%) | Breast problems (%) | Mother dislikes or feels uncomfortable with breastfeeding (%) | Other reasons (%) |
| Beijing** (n = 397, 1989–1991, [23]) | 8.3 | 13.6 | 18.4 | 32.2 | 27.50 | |
| Beijing** (n = 387, 1991–1994, [23]) | 8.8 | 19.4 | 14.0 | 6.9 | 35.0 | 15.90 |
| Beijing** (n = 148, 1995–1997, [24]) | 34.5 | 25.0 | 19.6 | 4.1 | 13.5 | 3.30 |
| Beijing** (n = 148, 1995–1998, [24]) | 47.3 | 20.4 | 16.2 | 5.4 | 10.70 | |
| Shanghai* (n = 152, [57]) | 49.3 | 21.7 | 15.8 | 3.9 | 9.30 | |
| Shanghai* (n = 131, [86]) | 41.2 | 37.4 | 9.1 | 9.9 | 2.40 | |
| Shanghai**(n = 86, [86]) | 59.3 | 15.1 | 15.1 | 1.2 | 9.30 | |
| Kunming* (n = 140, [65]) | 48.6 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 37.80 | |
| Zhejiang** rural area (n = 153, 1996, [72]) | 52.9 | 5.2 | 9.1 | 6.5 | 26.30 | |
| Jiangsu** (n = 235, 1996–1997, [68]) | 41.3 | 28.1 | 22.6 | 8.00 | ||
| Sichuan** (n = 148, 2001, [88]) | 13.5 | 31.1 | 24.3 | 31.10 | ||
* Reasons for discontinuation of 'exclusive breastfeeding'
** Reasons for discontinuation of 'any breastfeeding'