title: Intention to Breastfeed as a Predictor of Initiation of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Hispanic Women.
abstract: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the most efficacious form of infant feeding and nutrition. Hispanic mothers in the US are more likely than mothers of other racial/ethnic groups to supplement with formula in the first 2 days of life. The purpose of this study was to explore infant feeding intentions during the prenatal period as a predictor of EBF at postpartum discharge in a sample of Hispanic women (n = 99). At discharge, 51 % of the women were EBF, 44 % were breastfeeding and supplementing with formula, and 5 % were feeding only formula. Intention to breastfeed was found to be a strong and potentially modifiable predictor of breastfeeding behavior, showing a significant association with EBF upon discharge from the hospital after birth when linked with acceptance of pregnancy and method of delivery. Prenatal care offers a unique opportunity to enhance intentions to breastfeed that may lead to improved EBF in this health vulnerable population.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, 315 College of Nursing Building, Lexington, KY, 40536-0230, USA, am.linares@uky.edu.
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Linares
authors.forename: Mary K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Rayens
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: Yevgeniya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gokun
authors.forename: Mark B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Dignan
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007629:Kentucky; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult