Assessment of breastfeeding practices and reasons for success in a military community hospital.
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.
Haas
David M
DM
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Howard
Carolyn S
CS
Christopher
Marlene
M
Rowan
Katherine
K
Broga
Mary C
MC
Corey
Tani
T
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