This study analyzed the factors that affect breast feeding and breast-feeding duration in Korea. To this end, the study used the results of the first and second years of the sixth and seventh National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 1,258 toddlers aged between 12 months and 48 months. The data were statistically analyzed with the R version 3.6.1 program, and the results were as follows.
First, there were significant differences in the factors that affect breast feeding of the participants of the study by birthweight, the education levels of the parents, and the compositions of the two generations in the family.
Second, in terms of the factors that affect breast feeding for less than seven months (baby food period) and less than thirteen months (recommended by WHO), there were statistically significant differences in the starting period of powdered milk and education levels of the mothers for the case of less than seven months, and in mothers' employment and education levels and the frequency of drinking less than one unit of alcohol monthly for the case of less than thirteen months.
In conclusion, in terms of factors that affect breast feeding, birthweight, educational levels, and compositions of the two generations of the family significantly affected the actual activities of breast feeding, and the starting period of powdered milk, mothers' employment and education levels, and the mothers' monthly drinking patterns significantly affected the duration of breast feeding.