Factors associated with breastfeeding duration

Background and objective. The assessment of the factors associated with breastfeeding duration helps in creation of a national policy according to the World Health Organization strategy and recommendations. The objective of the study was to identify the factors associated with breastfeeding duration. Material and Methods. These analyses are based on a sample of mothers with babies attending one family health center in Kaunas, Lithuania. Completed questionnaires were obtained from 195 mothers (response rate, 97.5%). One year later, the same respondents, who had 1-year-old children, answered questions of the second questionnaire. Results. Half (53.8%) of the surveyed women breastfed for 3–5 months, 29.7% for 6 months and more, and 16.5% of the respondents breastfed for less than 3 months. The oldest (31–40 years) women breastfed their babies significantly longer than the youngest (