The purpose of this study was to understand the reasons for low rates of breastfeeding and the maternal selection of infant-feeding methods in African-American mothers. Results indicated that mothers wanted to breastfeed for maternal reasons, for infant-related reasons, and because others advised them to breastfeed. Mothers did not want to breastfeed for lifestyle reasons, pain-related reasons, lactation process issues, and hypothetical medical reasons.
The purpose of this study was to explore how mothers of different races/ethnicities make decisions to continue exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for 6 months under the theory of planned behavior. Intentions to continue EBF for 6 months were similar across racial/ethnic groups. The intention to breastfeed was explained most by the three theoretical constructs: attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control.
This study aimed to assess maternal perception of infant-feeding cues and pressuring feeding styles in an urban Latina WIC population. The results suggested that most mothers perceived that babies sensed their own satiety. Two perceptions of feeding cues were related to pressuring feeding style: the beliefs that (1) infant crying must indicate hunger and that (2) infant hand sucking implies hunger. Improving responsiveness to infant cues should be a component of early childhood obesity prevention.
This study investigated factors that impacted the decision to breastfeed and looked at the effect of formula provided by WIC on breastfeeding initiation and duration among WIC participants in a rural parish in central Louisiana. Participants felt that the incentives provided to encourage breastfeeding did not affect their decisions to breastfeed. The majority (96%) of the participants in this study indicated that WIC provide effective and clear education about the benefits of breastfeeding and that this advice influenced their decision to breastfeed their children.
This cohort study compared breastfeeding duration between Hispanic couples who enrolled in the pilot Peer Dad Program and those who did not enroll. Mothers whose partner participated in the Peer Dad Program were no more likely to continue breastfeeding past 6 months, than were mothers who received peer counseling only.
This study investigated the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding in the early postpartum period, maternal attitudes toward breastfeeding, and WIC Program participation status in a population of mothers at two San Francisco hospitals. The results showed that a higher percentage (79.8%) of the sample was exclusively breastfeeding at 1 to 4 days postpartum. There were no significant differences in the rates of formula or mixed feeding, by WIC participant status. Independent risk factors for formula or mixed feeding at 1 to 3 days postpartum included Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity. Being a college graduate was associated with a decreased risk of formula or mixed feeding.
This study was conducted to explore the breastfeeding conceptions and practices of low-income African-American and Puerto Rican women. researchers determined that breastfeeding &l ambivalence ; plays a critical role in driving thought and action in women lives. This ambivalence erodes the permanence of breastfeeding intention, challenging breastfeeding promotion strategies.
The purpose of this study was to assess whether providing a breastfeeding support team would result in higher breastfeeding rates at 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum among urban low-income mothers. There were no differences in the sociodemographic characteristics between the groups. Compared with the usual-care group, more women reported breastfeeding in the intervention at 6 weeks postpartum.
The purpose of this study was to identify sources and acceptability of infant-feeding advice among WIC participants. Professional advice is perceived as credible when caregivers exhibit characteristics similar to those of experienced family and friends: confidence, empathy, respect, and calm.
This article examines the progress in breastfeeding support through workplaces, public education, professional education, health system changes, support services, and research. Although there has been considerable progress in breastfeeding support over the past 25 years, significant gaps remain in protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding.
