Purpose: To determine whether maternal age, race, or income, is the primary determinant of breastfeeding continuation rates.
Methods: Using the Delaware modified-PRAMS 2000 de-identified data set, multivariate modeling of age, income, race, weight, health status, and other breastfeeding continuation factors were analyzed.
Results: Breastfeeding continuation at 12 weeks of age was predicted by maternal age independent of race or income. Mothers greater than the mean age were 86% more likely to continue to breastfeed than younger mothers (OR 1.861 95% CI 1.234-2.805). Maternal BMI > or = 26, nipple soreness, and breastfeeding difficulty were associated with lower breastfeeding continuation.
Discussion: Maternal age, not race or income, are driving factors in breastfeeding continuation. Physiologic variables, such as maternal obesity, breastfeeding difficulty, and nipple soreness have an adverse influence on duration of breastfeeding. Investment into processes that lengthen breastfeeding duration among mothers, especially younger mothers, who chose to initiate breastfeeding, may have individual and community benefits.