Intention to breastfeed and other important health-related behaviour and beliefs during pregnancy

It is widely accepted that breastfeeding is the best form of infant feeding for the first 4-6 months of life.

This study explored whether intention to breastfeed is associated with other positive maternal health-related behaviours and beliefs during pregnancy.

A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 789 women attending antenatal clinics at Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust. A structured questionnaire assessed feeding intention, use of folic acid, vitamin and iron supplementation, smoking status, smoking stage of change, and fetal health locus of control during pregnancy.

Forty percent of the women stated that they intended to breastfeed exclusively, 27% planned to bottle feed, 23% intended to combine breast and bottle feeding and 10% were undecided. Women planning to breastfeed (either exclusively or in combination with bottle feeding) were more likely than those with alternative feeding plans to: have increased their folic acid intake, taken vitamin/iron supplements and have a primarily internal locus of control (perceive themselves to have control over the health of their unborn baby). Women intending to breastfeed were also less likely to smoke. Of the women who did smoke, those planning to breastfeed were more likely to be either considering or preparing to quit smoking during their pregnancy.

In addition to educating pregnant smokers about the risks of maternal smoking, primary health care practitioners could also usefully address their knowledge, health beliefs and feeding intentions during antenatal care.