title: Factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months postpartum in a sample of urban Hispanic mothers in Kentucky.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although Hispanic mothers in the United States have slightly higher rates of breastfeeding initiation than the national average, they are more likely to supplement with formula.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe infant feeding decisions in a sample of 72 urban Hispanic mothers and assess whether demographic and personal factors influence exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) status at 4 months postpartum.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was longitudinal and included assessments during pregnancy, in the hospital following childbirth, and monthly up to 4 months following birth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly all of the 72 mothers were breastfeeding at discharge after the birth of their infant (94%); half of these were EBF. By 2 months postpartum, the rate of EBF had declined to 26%, dropping to 22% by 4 months. Significant predictors of EBF status at 4 months included the baseline indicator for mother's partner as the most important person in life (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 5.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-28.66) and breastfeeding self-efficacy score at 1 month (AOR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07-1.34).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings have particular relevance in this population, given the high rate of breastfeeding initiation coupled with breastfeeding self-efficacy being a modifiable factor. Support during pregnancy and postpartum, including consultation with a lactation consultant, may increase the self-efficacy of EBF in this low-income population, leading to higher rates of extended EBF among Hispanics.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA Faculty of Health Science, Universidad de Tarapaca, Arica, Chile am.linares@uky.edu.
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Linares
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Mary K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Rayens
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Public Health, University of Rochester, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dozier
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiggins
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Mark B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Dignan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D018454:Spouses; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hispanic; breastfeeding; breastfeeding self-efficacy; exclusive breastfeeding