This study investigated barriers to breastfeeding faced by inner-city African-American women. The following themes emerged from focus groups: low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, fear of social isolation, formula as a cultural norm, worries about breastfeeding in public, challenging family relationships, negative postpartum hospital experiences, and lack of support after going home.
The purpose of this study was to better understand nutritionist/dietitians; opinions concerning WIC Program strategies to promote breastfeeding in Puerto Rico. One theme that emerged from the focus groups was that the WIC Program in Puerto Rico should collaborate with hospitals to arrange for WIC-sponsored nutritionist/dietitians to visit the WIC participants during their maternity hospital stay and in their homes.
Researchers used data from a longitudinal study of postpartum depression to examine factors related to very early discontinuation of breastfeeding (at 2 weeks postpartum). They concluded that expectant and new mothers, especially women who encounter multiple barriers to continuing breastfeeding, could increase duration rates if ; they are (1) educated about the benefits of breastfeeding and (2) supported in developing efficient techniques and problem-solving skills.
The researchers analyzed the perceptions of low-income pregnant women about breastfeeding, including the benefits of breastfeeding, maternal concerns, support, and anticipated challenges of combining breastfeeding and work. The results showed that low-income women anticipated substantial barriers to breastfeeding when they planned to combine breastfeeding and work or school.
This retrospective study aimed to identify factors associated with breastfeeding duration among women enrolled in WIC in Hartford, Connecticut. Women who had planned their pregnancies were twice as likely to breastfeed for more than 6 months, compared with those who had not planned their pregnancies. One additional year of maternal age was associated with a 9% increase in the likelihood of breastfeeding for more than 6 months.
This study identified factors that prevented disadvantaged groups from initiating and successfully breastfeeding, particularly teenage mothers and mothers from low-income groups. researchers found that the disadvantaged mothers might require extra support to overcome problems associated with breastfeeding.
The author investigated why WIC participants chose particular feeding methods, identified particular barriers to breastfeeding among low-income women, and explored micro and macro factors that have the potential to increase breastfeeding rates. Results indicated that school and/or work requirements, familial influence, physician advice, and culturally constructed belief systems all heavily influenced the infant-feeding decisions of low-income women.
This study reviewed the literature describing Hispanic breastfeeding beliefs, attitudes, and practices in the US. The study reported that breastfeeding initiation rates are high among Hispanics living in the US. Newly immigrated women initiated and continued to breastfeed longer than did more acculturated women.
The WIC Infant-Feeding Practices Study was a nationally representative 1-year longitudinal study of WIC participants that obtained information about attitudes regarding infant feeding and infant-feeding practices. Results indicated that all ethnic groups were concerned about insufficient milk. Hispanic mothers were more likely to agree with the statements about the benefits of breastfeeding. Black mothers were more likely to agree with statements about barriers. These results could help inform a redesign of the WIC breastfeeding promotion campaign.
This study examines the factors associated with breastfeeding initiation for low-income women. Women who were older, white, non-Hispanic, college educated, married, not certified for WIC, and not working full time were more likely to breastfeed than formula feed at hospital discharge.
