Factors Associated with Intention to Breastfeed Among Low-Income,Inner-City Pregnant Women

Objectives: To examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors, maternal characteristics, and intention to breastfeed among low-income, inner-city pregnant women. Methods: English and Spanish speaking low-income women recruited from local Philadelphia health centers were surveyed at the time of their first prenatal care visit. At the time of the visit, respondents were asked whether or not they planned to breastfeed their infant. The responses of 2,690 women were included in these analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the independent associations of race/ethnicity, nativity status, education, and other factors on the odds of intending to breastfeed. Results: About half (53%) of the respondents reported that they intended to breastfeed their infant. In adjusted logistic regression models, immigrant black (adjusted OR [aOR] 5.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.86, 8.77), other Hispanic (who were predominantly foreign-born) (aOR 6.05; 95% CI 3.92, 9.33), and island-born Puerto Rican (aOR 3.48; 95% CI 2.04, 5.95) women were significantly more likely to report that they intended to breastfeed than non-Hispanic whites. Somewhat surprisingly, non-Hispanic, US-born African Americans in this low-income sample were more likely to report that they intended to breastfeed than non-Hispanic white respondents (aOR 1.59; 95% CI 1.20, 2.11). Lower education, not living with the baby's father, multiparous pregnancy, and smoking were negatively and independently associated with intention to breastfeed. Maternal age, household income, public housing, and depressive symptoms were not significant predictors of breastfeeding intention in adjusted multivariate models. Conclusions: Significant differences were documented in breastfeeding intention in our sample of low-income, inner-city women. Most notable was the higher likelihood of anticipated breastfeeding among our immigrant sub-groups when compared with non-Hispanic white women. An unexpected finding was the higher likelihood of anticipated breastfeeding among native-born, non-Hispanic African American women than among non-Hispanic white respondents. Because intentions are important predictors of future behavior, more focus needs to be directed towards breastfeeding promotion during the prenatal period and towards a better understanding of why some mothers intend to breastfeed while others do not.     

Association of Family and Health Care Provider Opinion on Infant Feeding with Mother's Breastfeeding Decision

In the United States, about 25% of women choose not to initiate breastfeeding, yet little is known about how opinions of individuals in a woman's support network influence her decision to breastfeed. In the 2005-2007 Infant Feeding Practices Study II, women completed questionnaires from the last trimester of pregnancy until 12 months postpartum. Mothers indicated prenatally their family members' and health care providers' opinion on how newborns should be fed: breastfed only, formula fed only, breast and formula fed, or no opinion/don't know. Breastfeeding initiation was determined by asking mothers around 4 weeks postpartum (n=2,041) whether they ever breastfed. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between mothers' perception of family members' and health care providers' opinion on how to feed the infant and the initiation of breastfeeding, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Nearly 14% of mothers surveyed did not initiate breastfeeding. Mothers who believed their family members or health care providers preferred breastfeeding only were least likely not to initiate breastfeeding. Never breastfeeding was significantly associated with the following perceptions: the infant's father (odds ratio [OR]=110.4; 95% CI 52.0 to 234.4) or maternal grandmother (OR=15.9; 95% CI 7.0 to 36.0) preferred only formula feeding; the infant's father (OR=3.2; 95% CI 1.7 to 5.9) or doctor (OR=2.7; 95% CI 1.2 to 6.2) preferred both breast and formula feeding; and the infant's father (OR=7.6; 95% CI 4.5 to 12.7), maternal grandmother (OR=5.4; 95% CI 2.6 to 11.0), or doctor (OR=1.9; 95% CI 1.0 to 3.7) had no opinion/didn't know their feeding preference. The prenatal opinions of family members and health care providers play an important role in a woman's breastfeeding decisions after the infant's birth.     

Low-income mothers' views on breastfeeding

Nourishing infants presents women today with choices, desires, obligations and constraints. Despite mounting evidence about the health, psychosocial and societal benefits of breastfeeding both for women and infants, current breastfeeding rates worldwide are far from optimal, particularly among low-income women. Many mothers choose to use infant formula. Drawing from structured interviews with 154 mothers from an urban low-income multiethnic population in the United States, a typology of mothers' feelings about their infant feeding method is developed. Findings indicate that regardless of their feeding method, mothers tended to attribute higher health benefits to breastfeeding and perceived community norms as probreastfeeding. They differed in their rating and perceptions of logistics and the extent to which benefits mattered in their infant-feeding decision. Contradictions associated with the practice of breastfeeding even among mothers who breastfed, were reflected in their perceptions of social disapproval of breastfeeding in public, reports of ridicule by friends, lack of support from some health providers, and difficulties associated with working. A typology of mothers' emotional states resulting from such contradictions summarizes the findings and underscores how some mothers who did not, but would have liked to breastfeed, may be subjected to feelings of guilt and deprivation. Implications for educational interventions are to amplify prenatal infant feeding consultations and address ways to overcome logistical and apprehension barriers.     

Breastfeeding Practices Among First-Time Mothers and Across Multiple Pregnancies

To investigate maternal characteristics associated with breastfeeding initiation and success. Women enrolled in the Mothers Outcomes After Delivery study reported breastfeeding practices 5?C10?years after a first delivery. Women were classified as successful breastfeeding initiators, unsuccessful initiators, or non-initiators. For the first birth, demographic and obstetrical characteristics were compared across these three breastfeeding groups. For multiparous women, agreement in breastfeeding status between births was evaluated. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify characteristics associated with non-initiation and unsuccessful breastfeeding across all births. Of 812 participants, 740 (91%) mothers tried to breastfeed their first child and 593 (73%) reported breastfeeding successfully. In a multivariate analysis, less educated women were less likely to initiate breastfeeding (odds ratio (OR) for non-initiation 1.97; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23, 3.14). There was a notable decrease in breastfeeding initiation with increasing birth order: compared to the first birth, the odds for non-initiation after a second delivery almost doubled (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.42, 2.35) and the odds for non-initiation after a third delivery were further increased (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.56, 3.82). Successful breastfeeding in a first pregnancy was a predictor of subsequent breastfeeding initiation and success. Specifically, women who did not attempt breastfeeding or who reported unsuccessful attempts to breastfeed at first birth were unlikely to initiate breastfeeding at later births. Cesarean delivery was not associated with breastfeeding initiation (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.68, 1.48) or success (OR 1.33; 95% CI 0.92, 1.94). Breastfeeding practices after a first birth are a significant predictor of breastfeeding in subsequent births.     

Breastfeeding and breast cancer: a case-control study in Southern Brazil

To investigate the relationship between breastfeeding and breast cancer in Southern Brazil, a case-control design was employed, with two age-matched control groups. A total of 250 cases of breast cancer were identified in women from 20 to 60 years of age, with 1,020 hospital and community controls. The main study variables were occurrence of breastfeeding and duration of breastfeeding. A multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis was employed. According to the results, breastfeeding did not have a protective effect against breast cancer. The odds ratio (OR) for women who breastfed was 0.9 (95% CI: 0.8-1.2) compared to women who did not breastfeed. For women who breastfed for six months or less, the OR was 1.0 (95% CI: 0.6-1.8). In pre-menopausal women who breastfed for more than 25 months, the OR was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.5-3.5), and in post-menopausal women OR was 1.27 (95% CI: 0.5-3.1), compared to women who had not breastfeed.     

Infant feeding counselling for HIV-infected and uninfected women: appropriateness of choice and practice

OBJECTIVE: To examine infant feeding intentions of HIV-infected and uninfected women and the appropriateness of their choices according to their home resources; and to determine their adherence to their intentions in the first postnatal week. METHODS: Feeding intentions of pregnant women were compared against four resources that facilitate replacement feeding: clean water, adequate fuel, access to a refrigerator and regular maternal income. First-week feeding practices were documented. FINDINGS: The antenatal feeding intentions of 1253 HIV-infected women were: exclusive breastfeeding 73%; replacement feeding 9%; undecided 18%. Three percent had access to all four resources, of whom 23% chose replacement feeding. Of those choosing replacement feeding, 8% had access to all four resources. A clean water supply and regular maternal income were independently associated with intention to replacement feed (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-3.2; AOR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2-3.5, respectively). Significantly more HIV-infected women intending to exclusively breastfeed, rather than replacement feed, adhered to their intention in week one (exclusive breastfeeding 78%; replacement feeding 42%; P<0.001). Of 1238 HIV-uninfected women, 82% intended to exclusively breastfeed; 2% to replacement feed; and 16% were undecided. Seventy-five percent who intended to exclusively breastfeed adhered to this intention postnatally, and only 11 infants (<1%) received no breast milk. The number of antenatal home visits significantly influenced adherence to feeding intention. CONCLUSION: Most HIV-infected women did not have the resources for safe replacement feeding, instead choosing appropriately to exclusively breastfeed. Adherence to feeding intention among HIV-infected women was higher in those who chose to exclusively breastfeed than to replacement feed. With appropriate counselling and support, spillover of suboptimal feeding practices to HIV-negative women is minimal.     

The Association of State Law to Breastfeeding Practices in the US

We assessed the relationship between breastfeeding initiation and duration with laws supportive of breastfeeding enacted at the state level. We analyzed breastfeeding practices using the 2003–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We evaluated three measures of breastfeeding practices: Mother’s reported breastfeeding initiation, a proxy report of infants ever being breastfeed, and a proxy report of infants being breastfeed for at least 6 months. Survey data were linked to eight laws supportive of breastfeeding enacted at the state level. The most robust laws associated with increased infant breastfeeding at 6 months were an enforcement provision for workplace pumping laws [OR (95 % CI) 2.0 (1.6, 2.6)] and a jury duty exemption for breastfeeding mothers [OR (95 % CI) 1.7 (1.3, 2.1)]. Having a private area in the workplace to express breast milk [OR (95 % CI) 1.3 (1.1, 1.7)] and having break time to breastfeed or pump [OR (95 % CI) 1.2 (1.0, 1.5)] were also important for infant breastfeeding at 6 months. This research responds to breastfeeding advocates’ calls for evidence-based data to generate the necessary political action to enact legislation and laws to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. We identify the laws with the greatest potential to reach the Healthy People 2020 targets for breastfeeding initiation and duration.     

Maternity Care Practices and Breastfeeding Experiences of Women in Different Racial and Ethnic Groups: Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS)

Research shows that maternity care practices are important to promoting breastfeeding in the early post partum period; however, little is known about the association between maternity care practices and breastfeeding among different racial and ethnic groups. We examined the association between maternity care practices and breastfeeding duration to ??10?weeks overall and among various racial and ethnic groups using data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS). PRAMS is a state, population-based surveillance system that collects information on maternal behaviors. We used maternity care practices data from 11 states and New York City with response rates ??70% from 2004 to 2006. Multiple maternity care practices were examined and the analysis adjusted for demographic characteristics, participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), lifestyle, and infant variables. The outcome variable for multivariable analysis was breastfeeding duration to <10?weeks or ??10?weeks. PRAMS data show that 22.1% of women did not breastfeed, about 27.7% breastfed for <10?weeks and 50.2% breastfed for ??10?weeks. Breastfeeding patterns varied with white and Hispanic women reporting highest breastfeeding initiation and duration prevalence. Overall, practices positively associated with ??10 duration were: breastfeeding initiated within the first hour after birth (adjusted OR [AOR]?=?1.29; 95% CI: 1.16?C1.45); fed breast milk only (AOR?=?2.40; 95% CI: 2.15?C2.68); breastfed on demand (AOR?=?1.23; 95% CI 1.08?C1.40) and receiving telephone support (AOR?=?1.20; 95% CI: 1.03?C1.39). Maternity care practices associated with breastfeeding to ??10?weeks varied across three racial/ethnic groups. One practice, that of giving newborns breast milk only, was positively associated with breastfeeding duration of ??10?weeks across all three groups. Maternity care practices associated with breastfeeding continuation to ??10?weeks varied by race/ethnicity. For example: breastfeeding within the first hour, baby given a pacifier, and assistance from hospital staff, were significantly associated with breastfeeding duration among black and white women and not Hispanics. The practice of breastfeeding on demand was significantly associated with breastfeeding to ??10?weeks for black and Hispanic women and not for whites. Hospitals may want to examine the implementation of specific practices in relation to the cultural backgrounds of women to promote breastfeeding.     

Intention or experience? Predictors of continued breastfeeding.

Despite the known benefits of breastfeeding, many women do not breastfeed their infants or stop breastfeeding early. This study examines the effects of prenatal intention and initial breastfeeding experiences on breast-feeding initiation and duration among 1,665 U.S. women completing questionnaires on infant feeding practices. Outcomes included no initiation of breastfeeding at birth and termination at <10 weeks, 10 to <20 weeks, or 20 to <30 weeks. Predictor variables included intended breast feeding duration and early breast feeding experiences with analyses controlling for demographic characteristics, previous breastfeeding experience, and prenatal intentions to work after delivery. Prenatal intentions to never initiate or to stop breastfeeding early were significant risk factors for all breastfeeding outcomes. Initial breastfeeding experiences were significant risk factors for early termination. This study supports using the intention construct from the theory of reasoned action to predict initiation of behavior but suggests the need to include initial experience when predicting maintenance of behavior.     

How Social,Cultural, and Economic Environments Shape Infant Feeding for Low-Income Women: A Qualitative Study in North Carolina

Background

This study focuses on the cultural, social, and economic factors that shape infant feeding practices among low-income mothers.

Are breastfeeding rates higher among mothers delivering in Baby Friendly accredited maternity units in the UK?

BACKGROUND: The promotion and support of breastfeeding is a global priority with benefits for maternal and infant health, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries where its relevance for child survival is undisputed. However, breastfeeding rates are strikingly low in some higher-income countries, including the UK. Evidence to support the effectiveness of public health interventions to increase rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration in this setting is limited. We examined whether mothers were more likely to start and continue to breastfeed if they delivered in a UNICEF UK Baby Friendly accredited maternity unit, in a cohort with a high representation of disadvantaged and lower socioeconomic groups with traditionally low rates of breastfeeding. METHODS: We analysed maternally reported breastfeeding initiation and prevalence of any breastfeeding at 1 month for 17 359 singleton infants according to maternity unit Baby Friendly Initiative participation status at birth (accredited, certificated, or neither award). RESULTS: Mothers delivering in accredited maternity units were more likely to start breastfeeding than those delivering in units with neither award [adjusted rate ratio: 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.15], but were not more likely to breastfeed at 1 month (0.96, 95% CI 0.84-1.09), after adjustment for social, demographic, and obstetric factors. Antenatal class attendance (1.14, 95% CI 1.11-1.17), vaginal delivery (1.05, 1.03-1.08), a companion at delivery (1.09, 1.04-1.16), and maternal post-partum hospital stay >24 h (1.06, 1.04-1.09) were also independently associated with breastfeeding initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Policies to increase the proportion of maternity units participating in the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative are likely to increase breastfeeding initiation but not duration. Other strategies are required in order to support UK mothers to breastfeed for the recommended duration.     

When Fathers are Perceived to Share in the Maternal Decision to Breastfeed: Outcomes from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II

Objectives The present study investigates the influence of joint feeding preferences of both the mother and father on initiation and duration of breastfeeding. Methods Data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II was analyzed. Female participants in a national consumer opinion panel were followed from pregnancy through 1 year postpartum, and were asked about infant feeding practices. We examined the association between maternal prenatal perception of the expectant father’s breastfeeding preferences and breastfeeding outcomes (initiation, duration of exclusive breastfeeding and any breastfeeding) and whether concordance between the parents’ infant feeding preferences influenced breastfeeding. Results Mothers who perceived that the father preferred exclusive breastfeeding (vs. no preference) were more likely to initiate breastfeeding [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)?=?1.9; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.0–3.7], and they had a lower hazard of stopping exclusive and any breastfeeding at any given time [exclusive breastfeeding: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)?=?0.8; 95% CI 0.6–0.9; any breastfeeding: aHR?=?0.6; 95% CI 0.5–0.7]. When both the mother and the father preferred exclusive breastfeeding, the hazard of breastfeeding cessation at any given time was lowest (exclusive breastfeeding: aHR?=?0.4; 95% CI 0.3–0.5; any breastfeeding: aHR?=?0.4; 95% CI 0.3–0.5). The risk of breastfeeding cessation remained lower even when only the father preferred exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusions for Practice Mothers tend to breastfeed for a longer duration when they perceive that the expectant father prefers exclusive breastfeeding and, even more so, when both parental preferences for exclusive breastfeeding concur. Efforts are needed to involve expectant fathers in breastfeeding decision-making and education to achieve breastfeeding success.     

Predictors of Breastfeeding Intention Among Low-Income Women

OBJECTIVE: Breastfeeding rates are below the Healthy People 2010 goals despite recognized benefits of breastfeeding. This study determined factors that predict breastfeeding initiation among low-income pregnant women. METHODS: A self-administered closed-ended questionnaire was introduced to 694 pregnant women who were certified for WIC in Mississippi. The questionnaire collected data about demographics, breastfeeding intention, breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy, and three recognized barriers to breastfeeding: embarrassment, time and social constraints, and lack of social support. RESULTS: In bivariate analysis, women who intended to breastfeed were more often white and had at least some college education, higher income, a smaller family size, fewer children, and previous breastfeeding experience than women who did not intend to breastfeed. Intenders had higher levels of breastfeeding knowledge and self-efficacy and reported fewer barriers to breastfeeding than nonintenders. In multivariate logistic regression, fewer children, past breastfeeding experience, breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy, and perceived social support were independent predictors of breastfeeding intention. CONCLUSIONS: Women at high risk for not wanting to breastfeed can be identified for additional support. Interventions should focus on improving breastfeeding knowledge, enhancing confidence in one's ability to breastfeed, and overcoming barriers to breastfeeding, especially lack of social support, among low-income women.     

Infant Feeding Decision-Making and the Influences of Social Support Persons Among First-Time African American Mothers

Background While breast milk is considered the gold standard of infant feeding, a majority of African American mothers are not exclusively breastfeeding their newborn infants. Objective The overall goal of this critical ethnographic research study was to describe infant feeding perceptions and experiences of African American mothers and their support persons. Methods Twenty-two participants (14 pregnant women and eight support persons) were recruited from public health programs and community based organizations in northern California. Data were collected through field observations, demographic questionnaires, and multiple in-person interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Results Half of the mothers noted an intention to exclusively breastfeed during the antepartum period. However, few mothers exclusively breastfed during the postpartum period. Many participants expressed guilt and shame for not being able to accomplish their antepartum goals. Life experiences and stressors, lack of breastfeeding role models, limited experiences with breastfeeding and lactation, and changes to the family dynamic played a major role in the infant feeding decision making process and breastfeeding duration. Conclusions for Practice Our observations suggest that while exclusivity goals were not being met, a considerable proportion of African American women were breastfeeding. Future interventions geared towards this population should include social media interventions, messaging around combination feeding, and increased education for identified social support persons. Public health measures aimed at reducing the current infant feeding inequities would benefit by also incorporating more culturally inclusive messaging around breastfeeding and lactation.     

Intention to breastfeed and other important health-related behaviour and beliefs during pregnancy

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that breastfeeding is the best form of infant feeding for the first 4-6 months of life. OBJECTIVE: This study explored whether intention to breastfeed is associated with other positive maternal health-related behaviours and beliefs during pregnancy. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 789 women attending antenatal clinics at Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust. A structured questionnaire assessed feeding intention, use of folic acid, vitamin and iron supplementation, smoking status, smoking stage of change, and fetal health locus of control during pregnancy. RESULTS: Forty percent of the women stated that they intended to breastfeed exclusively, 27% planned to bottle feed, 23% intended to combine breast and bottle feeding and 10% were undecided. Women planning to breastfeed (either exclusively or in combination with bottle feeding) were more likely than those with alternative feeding plans to: have increased their folic acid intake, taken vitamin/iron supplements and have a primarily internal locus of control (perceive themselves to have control over the health of their unborn baby). Women intending to breastfeed were also less likely to smoke. Of the women who did smoke, those planning to breastfeed were more likely to be either considering or preparing to quit smoking during their pregnancy. CONCLUSION: In addition to educating pregnant smokers about the risks of maternal smoking, primary health care practitioners could also usefully address their knowledge, health beliefs and feeding intentions during antenatal care.     

Effect of early infant feeding practices on infection-specific neonatal mortality: an investigation of the causal links with observational data from rural Ghana

BACKGROUND: Strong associations between delayed initiation of breastfeeding and increased neonatal mortality (2-28 d) were recently reported in rural Ghana. Investigation into the biological plausibility of this relation and potential causal pathways is needed. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the effect of early infant feeding practices (delayed initiation, prelacteal feeding, established neonatal breastfeeding) on infection-specific neonatal mortality in breastfed neonates aged 2-28 d. DESIGN: This prospective observational cohort study was based on 10 942 breastfed singleton neonates born between 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2004, who survived to day 2, and whose mothers were visited in the neonatal period. Verbal autopsies were used to ascertain the cause of death. RESULTS: One hundred forty neonates died from day 2 to day 28; 93 died of infection and 47 of noninfectious causes. The risk of death as a result of infection increased with increasing delay in initiation of breastfeeding from 1 h to day 7; overall late initiation (after day 1) was associated with a 2.6-fold risk [adjusted odds ratio (adj OR): 2.61; 95% CI: 1.68, 4.04]. Partial breastfeeding was associated with a 5.7-fold adjusted risk of death as a result of infectious disease (adj OR: 5.73; 95% CI: 2.75, 11.91). No obvious associations were observed between these feeding practices and noninfection-specific mortality. Prelacteal feeding was not associated with infection (adj OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.66, 1.86) or noninfection-specific (adj OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 0.55, 3.22) mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first epidemiologic evidence of a causal association between early breastfeeding and reduced infection-specific neonatal mortality in young human infants.     

西部贫困农村地区健康信息传播对婴幼儿母亲科学喂养认知的促进

目的 明晰西部贫困农村地区健康信息传播模式对婴幼儿母亲母乳喂养认知的影响,为提高该类地区妇女的婴幼儿喂养认知,从而改善婴幼儿的健康状况,提供科学建议。 方法 分别于2014年、2019年在我国西部贫困农村地区,选取24月龄及以下婴幼儿及其母亲为研究对象,通过问卷调查收集其人口学特征、健康信息传播模式、科学喂养认知等资料。运用回归分析健康信息传播模式对婴幼儿母亲的科学喂养认知的影响。 结果 共纳入1 284对（2014年）、1 049对（2019年）母婴。2019年婴幼儿母亲早开奶知晓率（72.64%）、纯母乳喂养知晓率（31.36%）均分别显著高于2014年（65.73%,25.30%）（均 P < 0.05）。在信息传播模式中,70.54%的婴幼儿母亲主要通过基层医务工作者获取喂养信息。回归分析显示,基层医务工作者结合信息传播材料传递母乳喂养信息( OR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.03～4.85)促进了婴幼儿母亲的早开奶认知;基层医务工作者传播母乳喂养信息( OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.04～2.38)、基层医务工作者与亲友协同传播母乳喂养信息的交互作用( OR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.48～3.87)促进了婴幼儿母亲纯母乳喂养认知。 结论 以基层医务工作者为核心的母乳喂养信息传播模式促进了西部贫困农村地区婴幼儿母亲早开奶、纯母乳喂养的认知。     

Breastfeeding by Aboriginal mothers in Perth

Objective: To document the breastfeeding practices of Aboriginal mothers delivering in Perth. Design and methods: A cohort of mothers was followed from the time of delivery for six months to obtain details of infant feeding practices. Subjects: A total of 455 mothers delivered during the study period and were asked to participate. A total of 425 mothers completed the initial questionnaire. Setting: The study was undertaken in six public hospitals in Perth, Western Australia. Data analyses: The data were analysed using spss . Breastfeeding duration was calculated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Main outcome measures: Breastfeeding initiation and duration. Results: The mean age of the Aboriginal mothers was 21.8 years (range 14–39 years, SD 5.32) and the average gestational age was 38.3 weeks. Almost 50% of the mothers in the study delivered by Caesarean section. At discharge from hospital 89.4% (CI 86.6–92.1) of mothers were breastfeeding, declining to 58.8% (CI 53.5–64.1) at six months. When compared with non‐Aboriginal mothers, the Aboriginal breastfeeding rates were higher than the non‐Aboriginal average breastfeeding rates, but lower than the highest socioeconomic group. Conclusions: The breastfeeding rates of Aboriginal mothers are higher than for other Australians. This is despite the low maternal age and level of education and the high rates of low‐birth‐weight infants and Caesarean section among this population. The World Health Organization recommendation for infant feeding is exclusive breastfeeding until six months, but less than one‐third of Aboriginal mothers achieved this recommendation.     

深圳南山区孕妇婴儿喂养意向及其影响因素

目的 探讨孕妇婴儿喂养意向及其影响因素。方法 对在深圳市南山区妇幼保健院接受产前检查的1 682名孕妇进行婴儿喂养意向、婴儿喂养态度和孕妇社会人口学特征调查。结果 1 682名孕妇中,持纯母乳喂养意向者1 389人(82.6%),混合喂养意向者105人(6.2%),人工喂养意向者188人(11.2%);多分类logistic回归分析结果显示,与纯母乳喂养意向有显著关联的因素有婴儿喂养态度得分(OR=1.62,90%CI=1.48~1.92)、孕妇年龄(OR=0.67,90%CI=0.56~0.92)、家庭月收入(≥10 000元/月与≤6 000元/月比较)(OR=0.59,90%CI=0.37~0.87)和婚姻状况(已婚与未婚)(OR=2.14,90%CI=1.62~3.38)。结论 深圳地区孕妇纯母乳喂养意向情况较好,这与孕妇年龄、婴儿喂养态度、家庭经济情况和婚姻状况等多个因素有关。