The Duration of Breast-Feeding and Causes of Early Weaning in Tikrit City

Abstract

This study concerned the practice of breast-feeding and causes of weaning among child bearing women in Tikrit city. The duration of breast-feeding and the number of infants who are breast fed of  | different ages varies from country to country. It is believed that the prevalence and duration of breast- feeding  are declining  in many parts  of the world  for a variety  of social.  Economical  and cultural  reasons as results  more frequent  infections  such as diarrhea  and upper  respiratory   infections.

This study revealed that most women weaned their infants during  the first 6 months of life (40.6%)  | and  the  percentage   decrease   as  the  duration   of  breast-feeding.    Regarding   the  most  causes   of  early weaning, the results showed that the milk-insufficiency is the most common cause of early weaning (45%)  fallowed  by the age of infants  (22%).  Data  showed  that  67.8%  of total  mothers  were  housewives while 32.2%  were  employed  mothers.