A longitudinal study of the effect of psychosocial factors on exclusive breastfeeding duration

<b>Objective</b><br />to examine the effect of psychosocial factors on exclusive breastfeeding duration to six months postpartum<br /><br /><b>Design</b><br />longitudinal, prospective questionnaire based study.<br /><br /><b>Setting</b><br />participants were recruited from a publically funded antenatal clinic located in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and asked to complete questionnaires at three time points; 32 weeks pregnancy, two months postpartum and six months postpartum.<br /><br /><b>Participants</b><br />the participants were 125 pregnant women aged 22–44 years.<br /><br /><b>Measurements and findings</b><br />psychosocial variables such as breastfeeding self-efficacy, body attitude, psychological adjustment, attitude towards pregnancy, intention, confidence and motivation to exclusively breastfeed and importance of exclusive breastfeeding were assessed using a range of psychometrically validated tools. Exclusive breastfeeding behaviour up to six months postpartum was also measured. At 32 weeks gestation a woman׳s confidence to achieve exclusive breastfeeding was a direct predictor of exclusive breastfeeding duration to six months postpartum. At two months postpartum, psychological adjustment and breastfeeding self-efficacy were predictive of exclusive breastfeeding duration. Finally, at six months postpartum, psychological adjustment, breastfeeding self-efficacy, confidence to maintain and feeling fat were directly predictive of exclusive breastfeeding duration.