Breastfeeding duration of Thai Women

Abstract

This quantitative study aimed to determine Thai working women's planned intention to breastfeed and to identify why the mothers chose to breastfeed their infants, how long they initially planned to breastfeed and how long they actually breastfeed. Ninety-nine Thai working mothers who had breastfed within the last 18 months, or who were still breastfeeding their infants and who used the services at three clinics in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Northeast Thailand were asked to participate in the study. The study findings show a strong correlation between the women's planned duration of breastfeeding and between the length of time she actually breastfed. The authors recommend that breastfeeding educational programs include partners and that the work environment provides support facilities to encourage and support the continuation of breastfeeding.