The effect of breastfeeding self-efficacy on breastfeeding duration

Abstract

Breastfeeding self efficacy (BSE), or the mother's perception of her ability to breastfeed, is a psychological factor related to breastfeeding duration. This study aimed to determine if BSE uniquely predicted breastfeeding duration after taking into account other variables known to influence the length of time for which a woman continues to breastfeed. Design: The study surveyed 147 women who gave birth during a seven-week period between June and August 2003. These women were surveyed in the immediate postpartum and again at 6 weeks postpartum. Setting: A private hospital in a large rural centre in Queensland, Australia. Outcome Measures: The cessation of exclusive breastfeeding, measured in weeks or part weeks, to six weeks postpartum. Results: BSE scores provided a strong unique prediction of breastfeeding duration (OR = .94, 95% CI = .90 - .97), with a 6% decrease in the probability of early breastfeeding cessation for every 1-point increase in BSE. Additionally, women who decided how to feed their infant after pregnancy breastfed for shorter durations than women who made that decision before pregnancy (OR = .27, 95% CI = .12 - .60). Principal Conclusions: Psychological factors such as BSE are important in the maintenance of breastfeeding among Australian mothers, and provide a focus for future interventions designed to increase breastfeeding duration.