The authors examines infant and toddler feeding practices over time, from 2002 to 2008, using the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS). Compared with the 2002 FITS data, the 2008 data indicated an increasing percentage of infants who received breast milk; a delay in introducing complementary foods; and a decreasing percentage of infants and toddlers who consumed desserts and sweetened beverages. Additionally, fruit and vegetable consumption remained lower than recommended in 2008.
This study assessed the association between the timing of prenatal participation in the WIC Program and various infant-feeding practices, including breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding for at least 4 months, exclusive breastfeeding, formula feeding, and early introduction of cow ;s milk and solid food. The study results revealed that entry into the WIC Program during the first or second trimester of pregnancy was associated with reduced likelihood of initiation of breastfeeding and early introduction of cow ;s milk. Entry during the first trimester was associated with reduced duration of breastfeeding. WIC participation at any trimester was positively related to formula feeding.
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 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.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the peer counseling (PC) program on breastfeeding initiation among WIC Program participants in Missouri. Results showed that the breastfeeding initiation rate in PC agencies was significantly higher than the rate in non-PC agencies, among prenatal participants. However, the difference was not significant among postpartum participants. Prenatal participation in the WIC breastfeeding PC program (especially, participation early during pregnancy) was associated with an increased rate of breastfeeding initiation in Missouri.
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 effect of breastfeeding on long-term postpartum weight retention of participants in the North Carolina WIC Program. The research revealed less long-term weight retention among mothers who had breastfed for at least 20 weeks.
The objective of this systematic review was to examine the effect of antenatal peer support on rates of breastfeeding initiation. The analysis found that universal antenatal peer support did not appear to improve rates of breastfeeding initiation, but targeted antenatal peer support might be beneficial.
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.
The authors pursued a systematic review of (1) the randomized trials assessing the effectiveness of breastfeeding peer counseling in improving rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration, exclusivity, and maternal and child health outcomes and (2) scientific literature describing the scale-up of breastfeeding peer counseling programs. Evidence from randomized controlled trials indicated that peer counselors effectively improved rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity.
