Personal breast-feeding behaviors of female physicians in Mississippi.
BACKGROUND
In this study, we examined the personal breast-feeding behaviors of female physicians in Mississippi.


METHODS
Two hundred fifteen of 350 female physicians responded to a survey inquiring of their personal breast-feeding behaviors.


RESULTS
One hundred fifty-five mothers (74%) reported having biologic children, and 146 (94.2%) breast-fed at least 1 child. Approximately 21% of the responding mothers breast-fed their first-born children for at least 6 months. There was a positive relationship between the duration of breast-feeding of older children and the breast-feeding duration for younger children. The major reasons for weaning were return to work, diminishing milk supply, and lack of time to pump breast milk.


CONCLUSIONS
The breast-feeding initiation rates among female physicians surpassed those of women in the general population, yet duration rates were comparable. Their own breast-feeding success might enhance the potential of female physicians as advocates and sources of credible information regarding breast-feeding; however, physicians need to be better educated regarding the management of breast-feeding.
Arthur
Chris Rodgers
CR
Department of Family Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USA. carthur@familymed.umsmed.edu
Saenz
Rebecca B
RB
Replogle
William H
WH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005191:Family Characteristics / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008922:Mississippi; D010822:Physicians, Women / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012649:Self Concept; D013997:Time Factors; D014886:Weaning