Factors associated with continued breastfeeding until 6 months among lactating mothers in a Paris maternity

Breastfeeding contributes to the health of the child and the mother. Given the lack of studies done in France, it is relevant to examine, besides the sociodemographic factors, the psychosocial and the relational factors. The objectives of the study are: to describe the proportion of mothers who breastfeed up to six months, to identify the sociodemographic, psychosocial and relational factors. This is a prospective, observational, single-center cohort study. The instruments used are the socio-demographic and clinical data questionnaire, the Maternel Sensitivity Scale, the Social Behavioral Inventory and the Situational Anxiety Inventory. Of the 247 mothers who participed in the study, 134 responded at six months and 55 mothers reported breastfeeding at six months. Multivariate analysis revealed the significant factors associated with the continuation of breastfeeding up to six months : the determination of mothers to breastfeed (OR (95 % CI) : 3.99 (1.04 to 15.31)), high maternal sensitivity at 48h (OR (95 % CI) : 0.16 (0.03 to 0.84)) and the presence of maternal anxiety at 48 h (OR (95 % CI) : 1.18 (1.06 to 1.32)). The conjunction of the interactionist approach and of maternal sensitivity is a promising avenue for the support of breastfeeding. Psychosocial and relational factors are fields that need to be explored. Knowledge of these factors can strengthen the strategies to inform and support breastfeeding mothers.