Individual and job-related variation in infant feeding practices among working mothers.
OBJECTIVE
To document working mothers' infant feeding practices and delineate factors that may shape infant feeding.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data were obtained from a community sample of working women with 8-month old infants (n=199).


RESULTS
Nearly all working mothers used commercially prepared foods like infant cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Approximately one-fifth fed infants french fries, sweetened beverages, and sweetened desserts. Unhealthy infant feeding was elevated among unmarried mothers, those with less education, and those with a nonstandard work schedule.


CONCLUSIONS
Working mothers use commercially prepared foods for infant feeding. Socially disadvantaged working mothers' infant feeding may pose health and developmental risks.
Grzywacz
Joseph G
JG
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084, USA. grzywacz@wfubmc.edu
Tucker
Jenna
J
Clinch
C Randall
CR
Arcury
Thomas A
TA
D000328:Adult; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology*