title: Perceived Infant Feeding Preferences of Significant Family Members and Mothers' Intentions to Exclusively Breastfeed.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breastfeeding intention is a significant predictor of initiation and duration. The decision to breastfeed may be influenced by the opinions of family and friends.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to examine the relationship between maternal perception of the infant feeding preferences of the baby's father and the maternal grandmother and the woman's intention to breastfeed.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study analyzed data from the Infant Feeding Practices Survey II (2005-2007).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample included 4690 women, of whom approximately 82% were white, 67% were married, 68% were multiparous, and 66% had some college education or beyond. In adjusted analyses, the odds of intending to exclusively breastfeed in the first few weeks postpartum were higher among mothers who perceived that the baby's father or the maternal grandmother preferred exclusive breastfeeding (vs preferred other feeding) (fathers: odds ratio [OR] = 7.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.20-8.92; maternal grandmothers: OR = 2.45; 95% CI, 2.01-2.99). Mothers in each of the racial/ethnic groups examined were more likely to intend to exclusively breastfeed in the first few weeks postpartum if they perceived that the expectant father preferred exclusive breastfeeding (vs preferred other feeding methods) (white: OR = 7.67; 95% CI, 6.25-9.41; black: OR = 11.76; 95% CI, 4.85-28.51; Hispanic: OR = 7.01; 95% CI, 3.44-14.28; other: OR = 7.51; 95% CI, 3.39-16.67).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that significant family members should be counseled on the benefits of breastfeeding and the risks of formula feeding along with pregnant mothers.
authors.affiliation: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA rmueffelmann@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rebecca E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Mueffelmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Racine
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warren-Findlow
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Maren J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Coffman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D000066502:Grandparents / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: breastfeeding; family; fathers; feeding preferences; intention; maternal grandmothers