Association between Breastfeeding Intention and Exclusive Breastfeeding Abandonment in Cali, Colombia (2016-2018)

Abstract

Introduction: Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) is a biocultural practice that offers numerous benefits for infant health. However, a progressive decrease in the proportion of children who are exclusively breastfed has been observed worldwide. The objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between the intention to breastfeed at the end of pregnancy and the abandonment of EBF during the first six months of life.

Objective: to identify the association between the intention to breastfeed at the end of pregnancy and the abandonment of EBF up to 6 months.

Methodology: A mixed-design, socio-critical study was carried out, which included a cohort analysis with 231 mother-infant pairs, carried out between 2016 and 2018. The research focused on evaluating the intention to breastfeed at the end of pregnancy and information was collected on the type of breastfeeding from the first week postpartum. The couples were followed up until week 24 postpartum, when the introduction of substitutes or complementary foods was recorded. To analyze the relationship between intention to breastfeed and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), a logistic regression was applied.

Results: The intention to opt for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at the end of pregnancy was remarkably high. However, only 31% of women managed to maintain EBF during the first six months (95% CI: 29%-33%). In addition, no significant association was found between intention to breastfeed at the end of pregnancy and abandonment of EBF before reaching six months (OR: 1.27; p: 0.4).

Discussion: In this research, no significant association was found between intention to breastfeed at the end of pregnancy and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). This finding suggests that the decision to initiate and maintain EBF could be more related to hormonal factors that occur at the time of birth. It is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the interaction between biological and emotional factors that play a crucial role in breastfeeding. It should be noted that the intention to breastfeed is determined by multiple variables, and is not limited solely to the mother's conscious decision.