| Description |
This study analyzed the incidence of breast feeding and reasons for weaning among women in Utah. A convience sample population of 274 was obtained from women who were 3 months to 1 year postpartum. The time of weaning was found to be significantly associated with the following reasons for weaning: breast and nipple problems (t=.760, p<.01), the physician advising a woman to stop breast feeding (t=.741, p<.01), and a baby eating a good diet and taking liquids from a cup (t=.613, p=<.01). The rural sample was too small in comparison to the urban group to analyze difference between these two groups. Supportive individuals, especially the husband or partner, were important to most women. In the majority of situations, the support person decreased the incidence of early weaning. Sociodemographic variables were also found to be associated with specific reasons for weaning. Finally, those who enjoyed breastfeeding, weaned later. The incidence of breastfeeding a youngest child within the sample was 83.9%. Only 37% were still breastfeeding after 6 months. A higher incidence of breast feeding was found among women with higher educational achievements, within Protestant and Latter-Day Saints (LDS) religious groups and among married and divorced woman. If a woman had breast fed her youngest child (t=.438, p<.01). Regressional analysis shoed the best predictors of breast feeding were a woman having breast fed a previous child, accounting for 22.28%, and educational level (7.36%), The best predictors of the time of weaning were the enjoyment of breast feeding (12.07%) and the incidence of breast and nipple problems. (9.33%). |
