Factors influencing infant feeding practices of mothers in Vancouver.
This study describes factors influencing infant feeding choices of 434 mothers with 9-month-old infants in Vancouver. Consistent with Social Cognitive Theory, both internal personal and socio-environmental factors influence infant feeding choices. Mothers attributed the choice to breastfeed primarily to personal choice, whereas the choice to formula feed was attributed to socio-environmental factors. Among mothers who breastfed < 3 months, the choice to wean was primarily attributed to concern for baby's nutrition; compared to returning to work, concern about milk supply and concern for baby's nutrition among those who breastfed > or = 3 to < 6 months; and returning to work and personal choice among those who breastfed > or = 6 months. Among Caucasian mothers, the choice to wean was primarily attributed to returning to work, compared to concern for baby's nutrition among non-Caucasian mothers. Initiatives to facilitate further advances in breastfeeding promotion could address three areas: 1) prenatal intentions, 2) early postpartum concerns, and 3) later issues surrounding returning to work and infant nutrition.
Williams
P L
PL
Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Innis
S M
SM
Vogel
A M
AM
Stephen
L J
LJ
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001955:British Columbia; D002417:Cattle; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008892:Milk; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires