title: Perception and attitudes: breastfeeding in public in New York City.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the United States, 76.9% of women initiate breastfeeding but only 36.0% breastfeed exclusively for 3 months. Lack of support for public breastfeeding may prevent women from breastfeeding in public, which could contribute to low rates of breastfeeding exclusivity and continuation, despite high rates of breastfeeding initiation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine whether residents of New York City, New York, were supportive of and comfortable with public breastfeeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based public opinion telephone survey of non-institutionalized New York City residents 18 years and older was conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 50.4% of respondents were not supportive of public breastfeeding. In the multivariable analysis, there was significant variation in support by race/ethnicity, age, and education. There were no significant differences in support by sex, receipt of food stamps, nativity, or the presence of children younger than 12 years in the home. One-third (33.2%) of respondents were uncomfortable with women breastfeeding near them in public. There was significant variation by education in the multivariable analysis. Lack of comfort was highest among those with a high school education or less (39.9%) and some college (33.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New York City residents are conflicted about whether breastfeeding is a private act or one that can be done in public. For women who want to continue with their intention to breastfeed exclusively, the negative opinion of other residents may cause them to breastfeed only in private, thereby limiting the opportunity to breastfeed for the recommended time.
authors.affiliation: 1New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health, Long Island City, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Candace
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mulready-Ward
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hackett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D010465:Perception; D012944:Social Support; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: breastfeeding; breastfeeding attitudes; public opinion; public places; social norms