The objective of this study was to find out whether employees at WIC initiated and continued to breastfeed significantly longer than the national averages. As expected, 99% of WIC employees initiated breastfeeding, and 68.6% continued to breastfeed to 1 year, significantly exceeding national averages. Given that nearly 70% of the study participants reached the American Academy of Pediatrics goal of breastfeeding to 12 months or longer, it is clear that full-time employment and breastfeeding can be compatible, given appropriate worksite support.
The authors examines infant-feeding practices and maternal diet in Mexican immigrant families in California. researchers found that mothers living in the US for fewer than 6 years breastfed their infants exclusively for at least 16 weeks. In addition, 20% of mothers living in the US from 6 years to 15 years and 17% of mothers living in the US for more than 15 years exclusively breastfed. Longer duration of residence in the US was associated with significantly higher intakes of vegetables, low-fat milk, salty snacks, animal protein, and cereals.
This study assessed the impact of a breastfeeding promotion project, which combined physical improvements of the clinic and staff training, implemented by the state of Mississippi. Results showed that the project improved the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, confidence, and practice of staff in the intervention clinics.
This study compared usual care with an intervention comprising hospital and home visits, as well as telephone support by a community health nurse/peer counselor team for 6 months after delivery, for low-income mothers. The results suggested that women who received the community health intervention breastfed longer than did the women who received usual care. The women in the intervention group also had fewer infant sick visits and reported use of fewer medications for their infants than did the women who received usual care. The intervention's cost ($301 per mother) was partially offset by cost savings on formula and healthcare.
The objective of this study was to examine racial, ethnic, and regional (rural versus urban) trends in breastfeeding initiation among low-income women in North Carolina, from 2003 to 2007. The research determined that women in rural areas, particularly non-Hispanic blacks, were less likely to initiate breastfeeding. Increased emphasis should be placed on developing breastfeeding interventions for rural communities, particularly targeting the non-Hispanic black population.
This research documented racial/ethnic differences in breastfeeding duration among mothers from seven diverse racial/ethnic groups in rural and urban areas of the US. The findings suggested that breastfeeding initiation rates and breastfeeding durations of 6 months were lower among WIC-eligible mothers, compared with all mothers. WIC-eligible foreign-born Mexican-Origin Hispanic (FBMOH) mothers were most likely to breastfeed for 6 months.
This research examines a nationally representative sample of births using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study - Birth Cohort to explore associations between rural ;urban residence and maternal race/ethnicity on breastfeeding initiation. Results indicated that associations observed for rural ;urban breastfeeding initiation differed, based on maternal race/ethnicity and poverty status. These patterns likely reflected differences in economic resources, work environments, and social support among rural minority postpartum women.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of breastfeeding and sugar-sweetened- beverage (SSB) consumption on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Hispanic toddlers enrolled in the WIC Program. Results indicated that breastfeeding for 1 year or longer and low SSB consumption during the toddler years could significantly reduce prevalence of obesity in Hispanic toddlers.
This study investigated dietary intake and obesity prevalence changes in WIC children after the implementation of the revised WIC food packages in 2009. Results showed increases in WIC mothers; breastfeeding initiation and in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat/non-fat milk by young children. Weight for length and body mass index also decreased in young children.
The purpose of this study was to measure changes in WIC food package assignments, WIC infant formula amounts, and breastfeeding initiation after the implementation of the revised WIC food packages. Results revealed that the percentage of mothers who received the partial breastfeeding package fell from 24.7% to 13.8%; the percentage of mothers who received the full breastfeeding package rose from 9.8% to 17.1%; and the percentage of mothers who received the full formula package rose from 20.5% to 28.5%.
