Abstract

Objectives The primary objective of this study was to investigate exclusive breastfeeding (EB) duration during the first two months in women and newborns receiving postnatal care at home by midwives. The secondary objective was to identify risk factors influencing EB.

Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted, involving 219 women who received postnatal care at home in Sweden from November 2023 to January 2024. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression was performed.

Results Out of the 211 responding women 15,5% (N=34) had ceased EB two months after birth. The most reported reasons for EB cessation were categorised into woman’s preferences and perceived insufficient milk supply. Risk factors identified for EB cessation before two months were not exclusively breastfeeding at discharge from postnatal home care, obesity, and country of birth other than Sweden.

Conclusion The identified risk factors for EB cessation enables midwives within postnatal home care to provide targeted breastfeeding support to mothers at risk. Reported reasons for EB cessation indicate a need for increased knowledge among mothers regarding breastfeeding behaviour and patterns in newborns. Further research is needed to determine whether postnatal home care contributes to the high rate of exclusive breastfeeding in mothers who participated in the study.