Factors associated with early weaning in the human milk bank of a university hospital

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: to identify the sociodemographic, obstetric, and breastfeeding factors associated with early weaning in a human milk bank. Methods: data from maternal and child evaluation forms of women assisted at the human milk bank of the Federal University of Maranhão university hospital in 2016, 2017 and 2018 were compiled. Results: of the 1,276 forms evaluated, 1,275 (99.9%) had information about early weaning (outcome variable), which was identified in 30.6% of assisted pairs. The frequency of early weaning was higher among mothers who had already breastfed (169-31%) [p=0.0235, OR=4.03; CI95%=1.21-13.46] and among mothers who had “household” occupation (204-36%) [p0.05). Conclusions: among the evaluated characteristics, only maternal occupation and previous breastfeeding experience were associated with early weaning.

Keywords

• Breastfeeding
• Weaning
• Patient care continuity
• Milk Bank
• Health promotion