Table 2.
Mean breastfeeding duration in relation to maternal and infant characteristics (n = 389)
| Variable | N (%) | Mean breastfeeding duration, months (95 % CI) | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternal age (years) (n = 389) | 0.41 | ||
| 20–25 | 48 (12.3) | 5.8 (4.8–6.9) | |
| 26–29 | 226 (58.1) | 5.9 (5.5–6.3) | |
| 30–35 | 93 (23.9) | 5.6 (5.0–6.2) | |
| >35 | 22 (5.7) | 4.3 (2.7–6.0) | |
| Baby gender (n = 389) | 0.48 | ||
| Male | 206 (53.0) | 5.6 (5.2–6.1) | |
| Female | 183 (47.0) | 5.9 (5.4–6.4) | |
| Birth weight (n = 389) | 0.20 | ||
| <2500 g | 18 (4.6) | 5.0 (3.6–6.3) | |
| 2500–3999 g | 348 (89.5) | 5.8 (5.5–6.2) | |
| ≥4000 g | 23 (5.9) | 5.0 (3.7–6.2) | |
| Primiparity (n = 389) | 0.07 | ||
| Yes | 364 (93.6) | 5.6 (5.3–5.9) | |
| No | 25 (6.4) | 7.4 (6.4–8.5) | |
| Delivery method (n = 389) | 0.003 | ||
| Vaginal | 180 (46.3) | 6.2 (5.7–6.7) | |
| Cesarean | 209 (53.7) | 5.4 (5.0–5.8) | |
| Education level (n = 389) | 0.001 | ||
| Graduate | 23 (5.9) | 3.9 (2.9–4.9) | |
| University/college | 246 (63.2) | 5.6 (5.2–6.0) | |
| Middle school | 120 (30.8) | 6.3 (5.7–6.0) | |
| Maternity leave (n = 389) | <0.001 | ||
| >6 months | 66 (17.0) | 9.0(8.2–9.7) | |
| ≤6 month | 323 (83.0) | 5.1(4.8–5.4) | |
| Bottle-feeding in hospital (n = 389) | 0.03 | ||
| Yes | 350 (90.0) | 5.6(5.3–5.9) | |
| No | 39 (10.0) | 7.1(6.1–8.2) | |
| Breast milk expression in hospital (n = 389) | 0.47 | ||
| Yes | 334 (85.9) | 5.7(5.3–6.0) | |
| No | 55 (14.1) | 6.1(5.2–7.0) | |
| Exclusive breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum (n = 345) | 0.01 | ||
| Yes | 135 (39.1) | 6.7 (6.2–7.3) | |
| No | 210 (60.9) | 6.1 (5.8–6.5) | |
| Expressing patterns at 6 weeks postpartum (n = 345) | <0.001 | ||
| Direct breastfeeding (group 1) | 123 (35.7) | 6.7 (6.2–7.3) | |
| Combining direct breastfeeding with expressing (group 2) | 144 (41.7) | 6.7 (6.2–7.2) | |
| Exclusive expressing (group 3) | 78 (22.6) | 5.1 (4.6–5.6) | |
| Expressing patterns in exclusive breastfeeding mothers at 6 weeks postpartum (n = 135) | <0.001 | ||
| Direct breastfeeding (group 1) | 41 (30.3) | 6.9 (5.8–7.9) | |
| Combining direct breastfeeding with expressing (group 2) | 77 (57.0) | 7.3 (6.6–8.1) | |
| Exclusive expressing (group 3) | 17 (12.6) | 3.8 (3.1–4.5) | |
| Expressing patterns in partial breastfeeding mothers at 6 weeks postpartum (n = 210) | 0.02 | ||
| Direct breastfeeding (group 1) | 82 (39.0) | 6.7 (6.1–7.3) | |
| Combining direct breastfeeding with expressing (group 2) | 67 (31.9) | 6.0 (5.4–6.7) | |
| Exclusive expressing (group 3) | 61 (29.0) | 5.5 (4.9–6.0) |