Findings: factor analysis revealed three primary body image concerns: pregnancy body image, prospective
postnatal body image and dieting during pregnancy. Higher concerns on all three factors were
associated with both intended and actual shorter breast feeding duration. Amongst mothers who
stopped breast feeding before six months, those with higher body image concerns were more likely to
report stopping due to embarrassment or the perceived impact upon their breast shape. The relationship
was not explained by maternal weight, although a higher residual weight gain at six months was
associated with a shorter breast feeding duration.