Continuation Rate and Reasons of Discontinuation of Breastfeeding in the Preterm Infants of Mothers admitted Al –Zahra Hospital of Tabriz, 2006.

Abstract

Abstract: Background and Objective: Breastfeeding has too much benefits to mothers and their preterm infants, it is very important to continue it at least 6 month of their ago. Some deal factors such as mothers' concern about inadequate milk supply, the weak infants' sucking and etc. effect the discontinuation of breastfeeding in the preterm infants. This study was designed to determine continuation rate and reasons for discontinuation of breastfeeding in preterm infants. Material and Methods: In this survival analysis, 460 preterm infants who were returned to Al –Zahra educating health center in Tabriz by their mothers and were qualified objects, were selected based in simple –random sampling. The data was collected through questionnaires and check lists and analyzed through Descriptive statistical methods, Life –Tables and Gehan test. Using statistical software SPSS14/Win. Results: The continuation of breastfeeding in 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 29 months old preterm infants were 87, 59, 42, 13, 2 and 1 percent. Consequently mothers' concern about inadequate milk supply 55.3%, weak sucking 50.5% and refusing breast 48.5% by infants were the major reasons for stopping breastfeeding. There were a significant statistical relationship between the continuation of breastfeeding and mother's age (p=0.004), kind of delivery (p<0.0005), parity (p=0.024), sex of infant (p=0.03), type of consumer milk (p<0.005) and birth weight infant (p=0.004). Conclusion: The study showed the continuation of breastfeeding decreased by increasing age of preterm infant. The reasons of discontinuation of breastfeeding was indicated high the number of uneducated mothers. To know the predictable factors of stopping breastfeeding helps to recognize mothers need to be continuously supported by health care workers, to improve the condition of breastfeeding of preterm infants and to reduce their mortality and morbidity.