Table 4

The most common reasons# given by mothers for stopping breastfeeding


Peer counsellor group
Control group

Before the first follow-up (Day 5)
n = 13
n = 12
     Breastfeeding was tough and difficult work
9 (69%)
9 (75%)
     Maternal fatigue
9 (69%)
8 (67%)
     Attachment and feeding technique promblems
8 (62%)
4 (33%)
     Low milk supply
7 (54%)
7 (58%)
     Anxious/unsure about breastfeeding
6 (46%)
2 (17%)



From day 5 post discharge to month 3 follow-up
n = 50
n = 45
     Returned to work
26 (52%)
21 (47%)
     Maternal fatigue
22 (44%)
21 (47%)
     Low milk supply
19 (38%)
16 (36%)
     Breastfeeding was tough and difficult work
14 (28%)
12 (27%)
     Too much motivation was required
13 (26%)
14 (31%)



Between month 3 and month 6 follow-up
n = 11
n = 9
     Low milk supply
3 (27%)
5 (56%)
     Baby was old enough not to be breastfed
3 (27%)
1 (11%)
     Mother had already given a good start
3 (27%)
1 (11%)
     Baby bites nipples
2 (18%)
2 (22%)
     Maternal fatigue
2 (18%)
1 (11%)

# Multiple reasons were given by some mothers.

Wong et al. International Breastfeeding Journal 2007 2:12   doi:10.1186/1746-4358-2-12