Background. - The duration of breast feeding has not pet been thoroughly described in France. A prospective survey has been performed on 150 breast feeding mothers to determine ifs duration. The objective of this study was to analyse predicting factors of this duration. Methods. - A questionnaire including sociological, psychological and medical variables was completed by the mothers and fathers. After discharge, the mothers were contacted every month by a physician until the completion of weaning. Results. - The median duration was 10 weeks. By univariate analysis, several variables were associated with a longer duration: decision to breastfeed before pregnancy (12 weeks vs 9 weeks; P < 0.01) multiparity (17 weeks vs 12 weeks, P < 0.05), high paternal serial level (14 weeks vs 9 weeks, P < 0.001), high maternal education level (12 weeks vs 9 weeks; P < 0.05), mother's idea of "bad" milk (9 weeks vs 30 weeks; P < 10(-6)), satisfied mothers (11 weeks vs 2 weeks; P < 0.001), motivation to breastfeed (P < 0.05), baby and mother in the same roam during the night (13 weeks vs 10 weeks; P < 0.05), and formula supplementation (6 weeks vs 13 weeks; P < 0.01). The mother's return to work was related to a decline in the breast feeding rate at 12 weeks yet working women generally breast fed the most frequently before returning to work and many women breast fed and worked concomitantly. A Cox multivariate analysis rook into account six significant variables: "bad" milk (low cr duration), mother who had been fed, mother satisfied with breast feeding, multiparity, high maternal education, closer proximity of baby to mother (longer duration). Discussion. - The duration in our study is longer than in other studies in France. Predictive factors are sociological, linked to maternal education, and psychological, with antecedent of mother breast feeding and decision before pregnancy. The role of the mother's occupation was not very important because working women are generally at a higher social level The role of the father was analysed, as well as the role of professional workers, family and breast feeding women's associations Conclusion. - Factors of breast feeding duration can be somewhat modified but it is necessary to respect the plans of both the mother and the father. However, early assistance in the hospital and after discharge can help parents realise their plans for prolonged breastfeeding and helps obviating the cessation of 20% of mothers during the 1st month. (C) 1998, Elsevier, Paris.
