The MILK Study is a randomized controlled trial studying the economic impact of a breastfeeding intervention. This report summarizes the study participants' attitudes about and experience with breastfeeding. Women were recruited from two community clinics in the Bronx, New York, serving primarily a low-income, minority population. Baseline data were collected from 100 women from June 2000 to December 2000. (51% Hispanic, 40% African-American, 50% receive Medicaid, 87% receive WIC) All women recruited were administered the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale as part of the pre-natal baseline interview. The majority were interviewed during or before their 20th week and all were interviewed before the 33rd week. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of the women's scores indicate a neutral attitude about breastfeeding. 26% of the women indicated an intention to exclusively breastfeed the baby while the majority (52%) indicated an intention to both breastfeed and give formula. Prior experience with breastfeeding included having friends or family who breastfed (85%) and having breastfed a child herself (33%). Among those intending to breastfeed, they plan to do so for an average of 5 months. These findings indicate that early in their pregnancies most women in this population have a plan for how to feed their babies but have not developed strong positive or negative feelings about breastfeeding. The MILK Study hopes to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates and demonstrate health care savings in the intervention group, in part, by fostering a more positive attitude about breastfeeding during the pre-natal period.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Debate the utility of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale as a measure of attitudes about breastfeeding for women in this population. 2. Describe the breastfeeding experiences of women in this population. 3. Evaluate the MILK Study intervention as an effective breastfeeding promotion model for this population.
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Intervention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Montefiore Medical Center
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.