Factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding in Poland: cross-sectional survey of population-based samples

Objective: To identify factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding in maternity hospital care and during the first six months after birth. Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys form the basis of this study: the first, conducted in 1995 on maternity wards (n = 11 422 newborns) and the second, conducted in 1997 in primary care centers (n = 10156 infants under six months). Results: The most meaningful factors in hospital care were: cesarean section, breastfeeding initiation after 2 h, lack of skin to skin contact, use of pacifiers, separation longer than 1h/24 h and health problems of infants. After hospital discharge the most significant factors were: use of pacifiers, mothers reluctance to exclusive breastfeeding longer then four months, low level of mother and father education. Conclusions: Most of identified factors can be modified so our results can help to introduce more effective target intervention.