title: Hospital discharge bags and breastfeeding at 6 months: data from the infant feeding practices study II.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Distribution of industry-sponsored formula sample packs to new mothers undermines breastfeeding.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Using data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (IFPS II), we aimed to determine whether receipt of 4 different types of bags was associated with exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  We extracted data from IFPS II questionnaires. Type of discharge bag received was categorized as "formula bag," "coupon bag," "breastfeeding supplies bag," or "no bag". We examined exclusive breastfeeding status at 10 weeks (post hoc) and at 6 months using univariate descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression models, controlling for sociodemographic and attitudinal variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 1868 (81.4%) of women received formula bags, 96 (4.2%) received coupon bags, 46 (2.0%) received breastfeeding supplies bags, and 284 (12.4%) received no bag. By 10 weeks, recipients of breastfeeding supplies bags or no bag were significantly more likely to be exclusively breastfeeding than formula bag recipients. In the adjusted model, compared to formula bag/coupon bag recipients, recipients of breastfeeding supplies bag/no bag were significantly more likely to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months (odds ratio = 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.36).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The vast majority of new mothers received formula sample packs at discharge, and this was associated with reduced exclusive breastfeeding at 10 weeks and 6 months. Bags containing breastfeeding supplies or no bag at all were positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 10 weeks and 6 months.
authors.affiliation: 1Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Radha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sadacharan
authors.forename: Xena
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matlak
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merewood
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Infant Feeding Practices Study II; breastfeeding; discharge bags; formula samples