The benefits of breast-feeding have been well documented. Factors that may effect the success of breast-feeding, specifically early hospital discharge, maternal breast-feeding education and ongoing home support are less well studied. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of hospital discharge time, breast-feeding classes, a hospital telephone support line and maternal clinical variables on the success and duration of breast-feeding. Following delivery, 188 primiparous breast-feeding mothers of vaginally delivered full term infants were enrolled. Early hospital discharge was defined as discharge less than 36 hours after delivery. Breast-feeding questionnaires were administered by phone at 2 weeks and at 2 months post discharge. Results of both early and regular discharged groups (ED=<36 hours discharge, RD=>36 hours discharge) are presented in the table below.

Table 1
Full size table

Maternal age, education and Hollingshead SES scores were similar between the groups. The need for a lactation consultant was associated with a cessation of breast-feeding by 2 weeks (p<.02). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the model of higher maternal SES (OR =1.04, CI 1.01-1.06, p<.01) and a home nursing visit (OR=1.9, CI.93-4, p=.08) predicted breast-feeding at 2 weeks(p<.01). SES alone predicted breast-feeding at 2 months(p<.025). Early discharge, breast-feeding class and the use of a telephone support line did not predict outcome. We conclude that, despite patient perception of feeling prepared to breast-feed, length of hospital stay does not predict breast-feeding outcome. A higher maternal SES and a home nursing visit increase the chance of continued breast-feeding.