Early abandonment of breast feeding: causes and effects

One hundred and six primiparous women were interviewed late in pregnancy and at 4 and 14 months post-partum. Information was obtained about infant feeding and various psychological and social variables at each stage, and about infant temperament at the 4 and 14 months post-partum interviews. Few social or psychological variables related to the duration of breast feeding, nor was there a relationship between the child's temperament and the type of feeding or duration of breast feeding. The implications of these findings are discussed.