Choice Of Infant Feeding Method Research Articles

The Effect of Discharge Pack Formula and Breast Pumps on Breastfeeding Duration and Choice of Infant Feeding Method

A study of breastfeeding mothers was conducted from October 1993 through July 1994 in the western United States to determine the influence of components of hospital discharge packs on the duration of breastfeeding. On discharge from the hospital, over 1600 breastfeeding mothers were given one of four free discharge packs, identical in all ways except that one contained a can of powdered formula, one a manual breast pump, one both formula and pump, and one neither. During the following 6 months, mothers were interviewed by telephone three times by an independent research firm to determine how and what they were feeding their infants. Analysis of the independent and interactive effects of both formula and pump was performed, and the moderating effects of age, ethnicity, marital and insurance status, prebirth feeding plan, and the effect of returning to outside employment or school were examined. Across the entire sample, the contents of the discharge packs had a negligible effect on feeding method and breastfeeding duration. Examination of select subgroups revealed modest discharge pack effects, wherein the presence of discharge pack formula increased the likelihoof2p4 introducing supplementation during the first 6 weeks whereas receipt of pumps prolonged full breastfeeding. Even in these select groups, however, no effect was observed on the overall duration of breastfeeding. Relative to other known influences on the choice of feeding method and on breastfeeding duration, discharge pack contents do not merit great concern.

Prevalence of inverted and non-protractile nipples in antenatal women who intend to breast-feed

Abstract Pregnant women who were intending to breast-feed were recruited to a prevalence study of inverted and non-protractile nipples. Among the 3006 women examined, the overall prevalence was found to be 9.8% (95% CI 8.8–10.9%). Of the factors investigated, the three which appear to cause a reduction in the prevalence of inversion and nonprotractility are: increasing gestation; increasing maternal age; and previous breast-feeding, each of these having an effect which is independent of the others. Parity of itself appears to have no effect. The mechanism of the influence which these factors have upon prevalence may be in part biological but other influences which have bearing on a woman's choice of infant-feeding method are also likely to be relevant. The authors consider that antenatal examination for poor protractility should be abandoned. If the examination is conducted it should be delayed until the third trimester and need not include those who have successfully breast-fed previously.

The ‘new’ risk factors for SIDS: is there an association with the ethnic and place of birth differences in incidence in Victoria, Australia?

Home interviews and assessments of infant development were carried out in a project examining the family environments of four groups of women and their infants with different risks of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): a reference group of 200 Australian-born (Anglo-Celtic) women (SIDS incidence, 2.04/1000). 101 women born in Asia (0.97/1000) and 56 women born in Southern Europe (0.58/1000) whose infants have a very low risk of SIDS and 102 women who chose to give birth at home whose infants have a high risk of SIDS (8.9/1000). As these differences are not explained by the classic social and perinatal risk factors, it was possible that they might be attributable to the ‘new’ risk factors: prone sleeping position, not fully breast feeding, exposure to cigarette smoke and bed sharing. Analysis of the data did not show this expected association: there were no significant differences between the groups in the use of the prone position; although only two Asian-born women smoked, infant exposure to cigarette smoke was similar in the other three groups; choice of infant feeding method did not fit the expected pattern — homebirth infants were fully breast fed almost exclusively while this was so for only about 50% of infants in both low risk groups; more than 50% of homebirth families slept with their infants, but bed sharing was also significantly more common in the Asian-born group than in the reference group.

Infant feeding as a social marketing issue: A review

Despite universally recognized benefits to both mother and child, there is a worldwide decline in the incidence and duration of breastfeeding. This paper examines the choice of infant feeding method as a social marketing and consumer behavior issue by considering infant feeding (1) in the context of exchange, (2) as the first complex consumption decision that is made for a child, (3) in a socio-cultural context, (4) as a policy issue affecting the health care system, the workplace, and the law, and (5) as a methodological challenge to marketing and consumer behavior researchers.

Effect of Expectant Mothers' Feeding Plan on Prediction of Fathers' Attitudes Regarding Breast-Feeding

A mother's perception of the father's attitude toward breast-feeding may strongly influence her prenatal choice of infant feeding method; however, research has demonstrated that women do little better than chance in predicting these attitudes. this study sought to determine if differential perceptions of fathers' attitudes regarding breast-feeding existed between women who had made a prenatal decision to breast- or formula-feed their children. The 268 expectant mothers in prenatal classes completed a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square analysis was performed to determine the significance of the association between maternal attitudes toward breast-feeding and intended feeding plan (breast or formula) and each predicted paternal attitudinal variable. The majority of subjects were white (80%) and married (95%). Seventy percent planned exclusive breast-feeding, and 68% felt the baby's father wanted them to breast-feed. Mothers who planned breast-feeding were more knowledgeable of its benefits, had more favorable perceptions, and were more likely to predict positive attitudes of fathers toward breast-feeding than those who planned formula feeding. Women who planned formula feeding predicted less positive paternal attitudes regarding breast-feeding; this perception (whether correct or incorrect) likely impacted on their choice of infant feeding method. More time should be devoted in prenatal classes and prenatal physician visits to breast-feeding education for mothers and fathers. Active encouragement of paternal participation in breast-feeding classes, usually directed toward women only, would foster understanding of the benefits of breast-feeding and the support fathers can provide.

Why Women Decide Not to Breastfeed

The reasons for the low frequency of breastfeeding at an urban medical center were evaluated in a study in which 81 women were interviewed concerning the factors affecting their choice of infant feeding method and attitudes toward breastfeeding. One-half of the women made their decision during pregnancy, and 41 percent did so before conception. They received information on infant feeding methods from health care providers, family, and friends. In addition to their own thoughts and feelings, family members had the most influence on the feeding method. The influence of health care providers was minimal, yet most women received early and comprehensive prenatal care. Although they thought that breastfeeding was better for the baby, the majority chose to bottle feed due to negative attitudes toward breastfeeding, conflicting responsibilities or schedules, convenience, negative breastfeeding experiences, and health or medical reasons.

Attitudes and beliefs towards breastfeeding and factors affecting the mother's choice of infant feeding method among pregnant adolescents

Attitudes and beliefs towards breastfeeding and factors affecting the mother's choice of infant feeding method among pregnant adolescents

Maternal Attitudes and Infant Feeding among Low-income Mothers

Sixty-four women of low socioeconomic status were interviewed in their third trimester and again six weeks postpartum. They were questioned about their infant feeding plans, general attitudes about breastfeeding, time of feeding decision, persons who influenced the infant feeding choice, and number of breastfeeding classes attended. Their knowledge of breastfeeding was measured by a questionnaire designed for this purpose. The choice of infant feeding method was influenced most by the mother herself. However, the subject's mother and the male partner were important influences. Mothers who breastfed were more likely to make their feeding decision before or very early in pregnancy than were mothers who bottle-fed. Maternal attitudes about breastfeeding also were more positive among breastfeeding women than among bottle-feeding women, and breastfeeding women attended more classes on this subject than their counterparts who bottle-fed. The role of education and follow-up by nurses is discussed.

Predicting mothers' choice of infant feeding method.

There is relatively little published research concerning the relationship between mothers' attitudes towards methods of feeding infants and their choice of breast-feeding or bottle-feeding as methods of feeding their own babies. The present study used Fishbein & Ajzen's theory of reasoned action to analyse the impact of the attitudes, perceived norms and beliefs of 50 primiparous mothers on (i) their intentions to breast-feed or bottle-feed, assessed antenatally; and (ii) their self-reported use of breast-feeding and bottle-feeding during the first six weeks of the baby's life. The findings were generally consistent with the theory of reasoned action. Attitudes to the infant feeding methods accounted for a large and significant amount of variation in infant feeding behaviour. However, there were some aspects of the findings that were not entirely consistent with the theory. Attitudes to behaviour contributed significantly and independently to the prediction of behaviour, and beliefs about the consequences of behaviour explained a near-significant amount of variation in intentions, beyond that already accounted for by attitudes and normative beliefs. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Difficult choices: Infant feeding experiences of HIV-positive mothers in northern Tanzania

Infant feeding represents a great challenge in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (pMTCT). The international guidelines informing infant feeding counselling suggest feeding methods that reduce the risk of HIV transmission, and discourage mixed feeding (combining breastfeeding with other fluids and solids). The feasibility and the social acceptability of the recommended feeding methods are hotly debated currently. Through the documentation of HIV-positive women's experiences, this article aims to provide empirically grounded knowledge on the relevance of the proposed feeding methods. Drawing upon cultural theory and a view of infant feeding practices as socially and culturally embedded, the article discusses the so-called ‘informed choice’ of infant feeding method among women enrolled in the pMTCT programme at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in northern Tanzania. The study is based on interviews and follow-up of 20 HIV-positive mothers during the last part of pregnancy, delivery and the first six months after birth. The article details four of these cases describing the challenges linked to exclusive breastfeeding, cow's milk feeding and formula feeding. The study demonstrates the gap between intentions and infant feeding practice in a context where the social expectations to breastfeed are high, and where kin and neighbours are part of the decision-making team surrounding infant feeding. It highlights the tension between the competing concerns of the medical and social risks involved in the choice of infant feeding method, and documents that the feeding options may be difficult to adhere to, whether a mother chooses exclusive breastfeeding or replacement feeding.