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Intention or experience? Predictors of continued breastfeeding
Ann DiGirolamo1, Nancy Thompson, Reynaldo Martorell
1Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. adigiro@sph.emory.edu
Summary
Prenatal intentions significantly impact breastfeeding initiation. However, early breastfeeding experiences are crucial for maintaining breastfeeding duration, influencing whether mothers continue or stop breastfeeding early.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits for infants and mothers.
- Many women do not initiate or maintain breastfeeding for recommended durations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how prenatal intentions and initial breastfeeding experiences affect breastfeeding initiation and duration.
- To identify risk factors for early breastfeeding cessation.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 1,665 U.S. women who completed questionnaires on infant feeding practices.
- Analysis of breastfeeding initiation and duration (<10, 10-<20, 20-<30 weeks) as outcomes.
- Examination of intended breastfeeding duration and early experiences as predictors, controlling for demographics and work intentions.
Main Results:
- Prenatal intentions to not initiate or to cease breastfeeding early were significant predictors of all breastfeeding outcomes.
- Initial breastfeeding experiences strongly predicted early breastfeeding termination.
- The theory of reasoned action's intention construct effectively predicts behavior initiation.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal intentions are key predictors for initiating breastfeeding behavior.
- Initial breastfeeding experiences are essential for understanding and predicting the maintenance of breastfeeding behavior.
- Future interventions should consider both intention and early experience for supporting breastfeeding mothers.