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

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.