Factors associated with initiation and duration of breastfeeding in Greece.

AIM: Our aim was to study factors affecting the initiation, progress and duration of breastfeeding in Greece. METHODS: We studied 938 infants born in 2001 in 17 maternity hospitals in Greece. RESULTS: The percentage of breastfeeding infants was 85.5%. The actual progress of breastfeeding was different from the one that the mothers intended to follow. Although the majority of women claimed in the beginning that they would breastfeed mainly for four to six months (23.2%) and 12-14 months (23.1%), the majority had discontinued breastfeeding by the fourth month (58.5%) and only 7.3% breastfed for more than one year. The initiation time of breastfeeding was positively influenced by natural delivery (p = 0) and pleasant delivery (p = 0.397). Smoking was negatively associated with the duration of breastfeeding (p = 0) and the infants of smokers breastfed mainly for one to two months (38.7%). Exclusive breastfeeding in the maternity hospital was positively associated with the mother's intention to refuse to use a mixed diet after being discharged (p = 0). CONCLUSION: Greater support is needed so that women can implement their original intentions concerning the progress of breastfeeding.