A breast-feeding assessment score to evaluate the risk for cessation of breast-feeding by 7 to 10 days of age.

Objectives: To develop a succinct and comprehensive breast-feeding assessment score (BAS) to accurately identify infants at risk for early cessation of breast-feeding before initial hospital discharge.

Study Design: Mothers who intended to breast-feed their infants were solicited from 9 suburban hospitals. Two detailed data forms covering 107 items were completed before hospital discharge. A third form was completed at 7 to 10 days of age after telephone contact with the mother.

Results: Cessation of breast-feeding occurred in 113 of 1075 infants (10.5%). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed 8 variables that were significant (P <.05) in predicting breast feeding cessation. A BAS was developed based on the odds ratios and relative risks of breast-feeding cessation for these 8 variables.

Conclusions: The BAS was easily and quickly performed before hospital discharge for near term and term infants, which accurately predicted the risk of breast-feeding cessation within 7 to 10 days of age in the population studied.