This paper aims to identify and analyze the reasons pointed by mothers to prolong breastfeeding beyond the first year of the child’s life. The study involved 40 mothers whose children were treated in the Preventive Program of Research and Dental Treatment Center for Special Patients - Dental School of Piracicaba - UNICAMP. The group consisted of mothers who prolonged the breastfeeding beyond the baby’s first year of life. All mothers were surveyed by a researcher using a specific questionnaire. In order to avoid information loss, the interviews were taped, then transcripted. Results showed that the main cause of the extended breastfeeding was "maternal pleasure". It was also observed that the mother and infant attachment favors prolonged breastfeeding occurrence. Further studies should be carried out for more accurate functional analyses of variable that lead to extend breastfeeding or to wean.
breastfeeding; prolonged breastfeeding; mother-infant relationship
