Factors Contributing to Infant Overfeeding in Low‐Income Immigrant Hispanic Mothers

Abstract

Paper Presentation Objective To describe multidimensional factors and maternal feeding practices that may correlate with infant overfeeding in Latina mothers. A secondary aim was to determine whether there was an association between these factors and infant weight. Design A descriptive correlational cross‐sectional study. Setting Participants were recruited through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Sample Sixty‐two low‐income immigrant Latina mothers receiving WIC assistance and their infants age 4 to 12 months. Methods A native Spanish speaking investigator who guided the participants through the options administered all the measures, including acculturation indicators, maternal feeding beliefs, maternal feeding practices, maternal knowledge and self‐efficacy, food availability/insecurity indicators, infant's temperament, infant's 24‐hour dietary recall, and infant's height and weight measures. Univariate and multiple linear regressions were used to examine relationships. Results More than 46% of infants were at >85 th percentile for weight for length; of those, 21% were at >98 th percentile. Among infants at the >85 th percentile for weight for length, 27% of the mothers wished their infants were heavier. Only one mother was breastfeeding exclusively. Almost one third of mothers (24%) preferred supplementing breast milk with formula feeding, and 74% used formula feeding. Healthier maternal feeding practices were inversely correlated with maternal age and the number of people living at home. Multiple regression results showed infant's age and maternal education as significant positive predictors of less controlling maternal feeding practices. None of the analyzed factors were significant predictors of infant weight. Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice Future intervention efforts should focus primarily on the promotion of healthy feeding practices that encourage and support exclusive breastfeeding among this ethnic group. A clearer understanding of the socioeconomic and cultural contexts that promote conditions for infants becoming overweight is necessary for developing culturally sensitive screening tools to assess infants at risk and promoting targeted preventive interventions that begin early in life and are meaningful to Latina mothers.