Why do women stop after successfully breastfeeding for 3 months

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify potential maternal demographics and infant characteristics associated with breastfeeding termination after 3 months. The study focused on personal and social factors contributing to breastfeeding success.;Subjects: Women (n = 121) who had already participated in a previous research were asked to complete an online survey in October and November 2012 with a response rate of 45%.;Methods: The Quantitative section included 21 statements describing why women stop breastfeeding. The Qualitative section included 4 open ended questions asking the women why they thought other women failed to breastfeed to 3 months, what healthcare providers and communities can do to help support breastfeeding for 12 months, and where they received the most support for their decision to start and continue breastfeeding.;Results: Women who received unemployment (p=0.003) or state/federal assistance (p=0.043) for a shorter period of time stopped breastfeeding before 6 months. Only 52% of women who reported incomes over ;Conclusions: In this survey, infant age was the factor that contributed the most to why women stop after successfully breastfeeding for 3 months. Healthcare providers, communities, and significant others all play different but important roles to help mothers breastfeed until the infant is one year old.