Abstract 70

Aims: To compare the reasons given by mothers for not breast feeding compared with why midwives believe mothers choose not to breast feed.

Subjects: 439 ante-natal patients and 125 midwives were surveyed by questionnaire about what they believed to be the reasons for mothers choosing not to breast feed.

Results: Ranking for first pregnancy against subsequent pregnancy was compared both including and excluding those previously unsuccessful at breast feeding. The reasons given for not breast feeding did not change between first and subsequent pregnancies (correlation =0.818). This suggests that there is no difference between ante-natal patients irrespective of parity. Comparison of midwives reasons with mothers reasons showed poor correlation (0.272). Both groups gave the same top reason (Do not like the idea). After that mothers wanted partners involved whereas midwives felt not knowing how milk the baby was receiving would be important.

Conclusion This survey has shown up some major differences between midwives and mothers-to-be on the reasons why the mother would choose not to breast feed. While both groups agree on the main reason (dislike of the idea of breastfeeding) after that their paths diverge. Work needs to be undertaken to ensure that midwives are tackling the real reasons why mothers are choosing not to breast feed