title: Factors Associated with Infant Feeding Choices in the Adolescent Population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Strong recommendations have been made for exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first 6 months of life, with continuation throughout the first year. In an attempt to optimize support for breastfeeding, particular barriers in populations with decreased rates need to be analyzed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine if participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food voucher program, involvement of the infant's father, involvement of the adolescent mother's parents or other caregivers, and participation in early skin-to-skin contact after birth are associated with the decision to breastfeed or bottle feed among this adolescent population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of 457 adolescent patients who delivered January 2010 through May 2013 at the University of Louisville Hospital was conducted. Nursing documentation was used to determine the patient's intention to breastfeed or bottle feed, participation in WIC, involvement of the infant's father, involvement of the patient's parents, and participation in early skin-to-skin contact after delivery. These factors were compared using Fisher exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred one adolescents reported a plan to breastfeed (65.9%) and 156 reported a plan to bottle feed (34.1%) when questioned pre-delivery. There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to WIC participation or involvement of the infant's father. The bottle-feeding group had a significantly higher percentage who reported parental involvement (80.1% vs 67.8%, P = .0059). The breastfeeding group had a significantly higher percentage who participated in early skin-to-skin contact after birth (74.5% vs 58.1%, P = .0064).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Involvement of the adolescent mothers' parents or caregivers was associated with the decision to bottle feed. Participation in early skin-to-skin contact after birth was associated with the decision to breastfeed.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Godbout
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Whitney N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Goldsberry
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Tanya E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Franklin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: adolescent; attitudes; breastfeeding; health knowledge; lactation; practice