Opposing effects of maternal and paternal socioeconomic status on neonatal feeding method, place of sleep, and maternal sleep time.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to compare the relative influence of the socioeconomic status of both mothers and fathers on feeding method and cosleeping.


METHODS
The time and method of feeding and sleeping were recorded in a log during the 4th-week postpartum and analyzed according to the parental Hollingshead Index of Social Position in 33 families with their first newborn.


RESULTS
The effect of socioeconomic status on feeding and sleep was parent specific. Low socioeconomic status of the mother, but not the father, was associated with cosleeping (t = 2.39, P < .01); whereas, a low socioeconomic status of the father, but not the mother, was associated with bottle-feeding rather than breast-feeding (t = 1.94, P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Socioeconomic status of the parents differentially affects neonatal care. Programs to increase breast-feeding rates would be most effective if designed for and aimed at the fathers.
Glenn
L Lee
LL
Department of Professional Roles and Mental Health Nursing, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA. glennl@etsu.edu
Quillin
Stephanie I M
SI
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005220:Fathers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012890:Sleep; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors