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Factors Associated with Infant Feeding Choices in the Adolescent Population
Jennifer M Godbout1, Whitney N Goldsberry1, Tanya E Franklin1
11 University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
Insights
Early skin-to-skin contact encourages breastfeeding in adolescents, while parental involvement is linked to bottle-feeding decisions. Understanding these factors can optimize infant feeding support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Maternal and Child Health
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infant health.
- Barriers to breastfeeding in specific populations require analysis.
- Adolescent mothers present unique challenges to breastfeeding support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors associated with breastfeeding decisions in adolescents.
- To examine the role of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food voucher program.
- To assess the impact of paternal and parental involvement, and early skin-to-skin contact on infant feeding choices.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 457 adolescent patients.
- Analysis of nursing documentation for feeding intentions and influencing factors.
- Comparison of breastfeeding vs. bottle-feeding groups using Fisher exact test.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in WIC participation or father's involvement between groups.
- Parental involvement was higher in the bottle-feeding group (80.1% vs 67.8%).
- Early skin-to-skin contact was significantly higher in the breastfeeding group (74.5% vs 58.1%).
Conclusions:
- Parental/caregiver involvement is associated with adolescent mothers choosing bottle-feeding.
- Early skin-to-skin contact is positively associated with adolescent mothers choosing to breastfeed.
- Targeted support strategies can leverage these findings to promote breastfeeding in adolescent populations.
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).
Conclusion:
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.
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