title: Assessment of breastfeeding practices and reasons for success in a military community hospital.
abstract: The authors' objectives were (1) to assess factors associated with breastfeeding rates in the early postpartum period and (2) to assess factors contributing to successful breastfeeding among an active-duty and military-dependent population. In September 2002, a baseline breastfeeding survey was administered to women presenting for infant or postpartum care in a military health care facility. A lactation service was then established, and between May and September 2004, a cross-sectional survey was subsequently conducted. Surveys assessed demographics, breastfeeding history and practices, and perceived reasons for success and discontinuation. A total of 934 surveys were collected. Ninety-two percent of women initiated breastfeeding. Eighty-five percent were breastfeeding at 1 week. The rate was 67.0% at 6 weeks and 61.7% at 6 months. Prior breastfeeding experience predicted continued breast-feeding at 6 weeks (OR 2.04); higher education level predicted breastfeeding at 6 months (OR 2.55). Breastfeeding rates increased after the establishment of a lactation service.
authors.affiliation: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Carolyn S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christopher
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rowan
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Broga
authors.forename: Tani
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Corey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003253:Consultants; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors