RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 3, 4, and 6 months postpartum in women who delivered at Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital, and to evaluate the potential factors for continuation of exclusive breastfeeding. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective descriptive study was performed in 210 mothers who delivered in the authors' institution between December 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007. All eligible subjects were interviewed before discharge from the hospital. The successive postpartum interviews were then conducted via telephone at 3, 4, and 6 months after delivery. RESULTS: Average maternal age was 27 years and over half (54.3%) were primipara. Rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 3, 4, and 6 months were 48%, 26%, and 11% respectively. Significant factors for exclusive breastfeeding were duration allowed for work absence and intended time to breastfeed. CONCLUSION: Approximately half of the mothers in the present study provided exclusive breastfeeding to their babies in the first 3-month postpartum. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months was lower than the 30% goal of the 9th National Economic and Social Development Plan. The need to return to work and intended time to breastfeed were the significant factors affecting duration of exclusive breastfeeding.