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Updated: Mar 31, 2026

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
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A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

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Life Course Factors Associated with Initiation and Continuation of Exclusive Breastfeeding

Jennifer S Pitonyak, Amy B Jessop, Laura Pontiggia

    Maternal and Child Health Journal
    |October 27, 2015
    PubMed

    Insights

    Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for at least 4 months is more likely for college-educated, married women. Returning to work, living in the South, and postpartum depression risk decrease EBF duration.

    Area of Science:

    • Public Health
    • Maternal and Child Health
    • Epidemiology

    Background:

    • Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) offers significant life course health benefits for infants, families, and society.
    • Despite recommendations, EBF rates in the US remain low, with only 18.8% of infants born in 2011 exclusively breastfed.
    • Few studies specifically describe EBF characteristics or factors influencing its duration.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To describe the characteristics of women who initiated exclusive breastfeeding (EBF).
    • To examine the associations between sociodemographic, health, work, and child care factors and the duration of EBF lasting at least 4 months.
    • To apply the Life Course Health Development (LCHD) framework to understand EBF disparities.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II survey (2005-2007).
    • Identified a cohort of 1226 women practicing EBF at hospital discharge.
    • Employed bivariate and logistic regression analyses to assess associations between characteristics and EBF duration of ≥4 months.

    Main Results:

    • College education (OR 2.14) and marriage (OR 2.19) were associated with increased odds of EBF lasting ≥4 months.
    • Planning to return to work (OR 0.57), living in the South (OR 0.67), and postpartum depression risk (OR 0.43) were associated with decreased odds of EBF lasting ≥4 months.
    • Identified key factors contributing to disparities in continued EBF.

    Conclusions:

    • Several factors are linked to disparities in sustained exclusive breastfeeding.
    • The LCHD framework enhances understanding of the complex risks associated with early EBF cessation.
    • Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support longer EBF duration.
    Abstract

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