Response to letter to the editor.

Abstract

We want to thank the author who submitted a letter in response to our published article, “Increasing Breastfeeding in WIC Participants: Cost of Formula as a Motivator.” 1 Fornasaro-Donahue V, Tovar A, Sebelia L, Greene GW. Increasing breastfeeding in WIC participants: cost of formula as a motivator [published online ahead of print May 15, 2014]. J Nutr Educ Behav. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2014.03.003. Google Scholar The author raises a relevant concern that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is providing a financial incentive for formula feeding that has the effect of discouraging breastfeeding. Data clearly demonstrate that breastfeeding is significantly lower in mothers receiving WIC benefits than mothers who do not participate in WIC, even when controlling for social and demographic factors. Other researchers support the author's conclusion that the provision of free formula is discouraging breastfeeding in WIC mothers. Our results suggest that the reasons pregnant women enrolled in WIC intend to formula feed were less related to cost than social, environmental, physical, and emotional factors, whereas the reasons pregnant women intend to breastfeed were primarily driven by concerns about the health of their baby. We agree with the author that perceptions about economic costs of infant feeding were relatively unimportant in decisions about breastfeeding and that WIC staff should discuss perceived benefits and barriers to breastfeeding early in pregnancy as well as provide educational materials addressing the mother's concerns. We also agree that women intending to formula feed are more focused on short-term objectives of maintaining their lifestyles without changing to accommodate breastfeeding, even when the long-term benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the short-term formula advantages. These issues also need to be addressed by WIC staff. Response to Fornasaro-Donahue et al, Increasing Breastfeeding in WIC Participants: Cost of Formula as a MotivatorJournal of Nutrition Education and BehaviorVol. 46Issue 5PreviewThe core underlying interest here is in increasing breastfeeding among clients of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The authors1 focus on the clients' perceptions of the cost of formula as a factor in that decision, but WIC clients might give that little weight. To illustrate, some clients might feel that the government's providing infant formula at no cost to the family amounts to government endorsement of formula. That feeling could outweigh worries about costs in the distant future. Full-Text PDF Increasing Breastfeeding in WIC Participants: Cost of Formula as a MotivatorJournal of Nutrition Education and BehaviorVol. 46Issue 6PreviewTo assess the cost of infant formula, explore mothers' perceptions of formula cost, and assess whether cost influences the decision to breastfeed. Full-Text PDF