Socio-demographic and psychological determinants of exclusive breastfeeding after six months postpartum — a Polish case-cohort study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the socio-demographic and psychological factors connected with exclusive breastfeeding after 6 months postpartum. A total of 251 women filled in questionnaires in the first week postpartum, then again after 3 and 6 months. The questionnaires included socio-demographic and medical questions, as well as psychological tools: the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory, the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Further detailed questions concerning breastfeeding were relevant to this study. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding after 6 months was 39.68%. It was found that exclusive breastfeeding was most strongly connected with attending prenatal classes (ORa = 2.84, CI 1.18-6.87, p = 0.01), formula supplementation after 3 months (ORa = 0.01, CI 0.002-0.08, p < 0.001) and the mother's subjective satisfaction with feeding the infant after 3 months (ORa = 1.44, CI 1.01-2.06, p = 0.04). No other psychological (as far as personality, social support or risk of postpar-tum depression are concerned), demographic or medical factors were significant. Only factors pertaining to breastfeeding were significant. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Poland is unsatisfactory. Women should have easy access to prenatal classes with the most up-to-date knowledge on lactation and be advised against supplementing with formula, whenever possible. This could lead to higher satisfaction with breastfeeding.