Abandono de la lactancia materna en Galicia: ¿cuándo se produce y por qué?

Candal-Pedreira, Cristina; Pérez-Ríos, Mónica; Pérez-Franco, Diana; Vila-Farinas, Andrea; Santiago-Pérez, María Isolina; Rey-Brandariz, Julia; Mourino, Nerea; Ruano-Ravina, Alberto

Introduction:

International organizations recommend maintaining breastfeeding at least until 6 months after the birth of the child. However, the prevalence of breastfeeding at 6 moths in Europe is below the recommendations. The aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of breastfeeding cessation month by month and to ascertain the reasons associated with the cessation during the first 12 months of life in galician women.

Methods:

The information analysed comes from the Health Risk Behaviour Information System conducted in 2016, which included women who had given birth in the previous 12 months (n = 6436) in Galicia (Spain). The prevalence of breastfeeding cessation was estimated and the age of the child at the time of cessation was collected. The causes of abandonment were classified into 5 global categories and the frequencies were estimated.

Results:

A total of 5,177 mothers of 3- to 16-month-old babies were included. At the age of 12 months, 33.8% of the children were still breastfed. The main reason for cessation of breastfeeding was hypogalactia (46.5%), followed by being back to work (24.1%). After birth to 4 months, hypogalactia and health problems were the principal reasons of cessation; between 4 and 7 months after birth, hypogalactia and returning to work or studies were the most important reasons; and after 7 months, rejection by the baby became important.

Conclusion:

The cessation of breastfeeding during the first year of life is due mainly to preventable causes. It is necessary to improve maternal health education, both during and after the pregnancy, as well as to develop effective work-life balance measures. (AU)

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