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Resource Types: Journal Article


Exploring the Concept of Positive Deviance Related to Breastfeeding Initiation in Black and White WIC Enrolled First Time Mothers

This study explored the characteristics of positive deviants for breastfeeding among WIC-enrolled first-time mothers in Louisiana. researchers found that breastfeeding in the hospital after delivery and having received help with how to breastfeed in the hospital were significantly associated with breastfeeding initiation in white and black mothers. They also found that the black positive deviants were more likely to have initiated breastfeeding if their baby was low birth weight.


Costs Related to Promoting Breastfeeding Among Urban Low‐Income Women

The objective of this study was to assess the costs of providing support to low-income women who breastfeed, compared with savings resulting from the intervention. The results showed that the support for breastfeeding that community health nurses and peer counselors provided was partially offset by the reduced need for medical care and formula feeding costs.


Breastfeeding Social Marketing: Lessons Learned from USDA’s “Loving Support” Campaign

This article explored some of the successes and applications of the USDAs ongoing campaign,;Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work,” with respect to breastfeeding promotion and support. Based on social marketing principles to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among WIC participants, WIC breastfeeding initiation and duration rates have improved significantly since initiation of the campaign in 1997. The author concluded that it is important to create social marketing campaigns that target societal forces that affect a woman ;s decision and capability to breastfeed. These include family and friends, healthcare providers, employers, formula industry, and legislators.


Breastfeeding Duration in Relation to Child Care Arrangement and Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

This study examines associations among breastfeeding duration, child care arrangement, and participation in the WIC Program for people enrolled in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort. Compared to those under parental care, WIC participants under relative care were more likely to discontinue breastfeeding before their child reached the age of 6 months.


Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk

This article reaffirmed the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months; followed by continued breastfeeding, as complementary foods are introduced; and continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer, as mutually desired by mother and infant. The Business Case for Breastfeeding detailed how mothers could maintain lactation in the workplace and the benefits to employers who facilitated this practice.


Breastfeeding Among Minority Women: Moving From Risk Factors to Interventions

This critical review aimed to identify and assess US-based randomized trials, by evaluating breastfeeding interventions that targeted minorities. Peer counseling interventions, breastfeeding-specific clinic appointments, group prenatal education, and hospital/WIC enhancements all greatly improved breastfeeding initiation, duration, of exclusivity.


Breastfeeding Among High-Risk Inner-City African-American Mothers: A Risky Choice?

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.


WIC and Breastfeeding Support Services: Does the Mix of Services Offered Vary with Race and Ethnicity?

This study explored the associations between breastfeeding initiation and the availability of WIC-based breastfeeding support, as well as the racial and ethnic composition of WIC clients in North Carolina. The study found that breastfeeding initiation by site was negatively associated with the percentage of African-American clients and positively associated with percentage of white or Hispanic clients.