Community Factors Related to Breastfeeding Exclusivity and Duration in Latinas

Latinas have one of the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rates in the U.S., but what community factors contribute to the continuation of exclusive or any breastfeeding by Latinas are not well understood. This 2003-2005 longitudinal study surveyed Latina women who had just given birth in and lived in Monterey County on prenatal, hospital, and postpartum factors which may contribute to the cessation of breastfeeding from the baby's birth to one year postpartum. Of the 1,002 Latinas surveyed, most were low-income (66%), recipients of Medi-Cal (70%), Spanish speakers (70%), and born in Mexico (76%). Most did not have a high school education (66%), did not attend childbirth classes (64%), and had a vaginal delivery (63%). They did have someone discuss breastfeeding benefits with them during their pregnancy (89%). Prenatal factors that contributed to cessation of breastfeeding among participants included distribution of commercial health education materials, commercial marketing materials, free formula samples and other commercial “give-aways” that market infant formula. Hospital factors included lack of implementation of the hospital policies of the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Postpartum factors that contributed to cessation of exclusive or any breastfeeding among surveyed women were lack of community resources for breastfeeding support and lack of employer support for breastfeeding women. Using these results, a consortium of community organizations and individuals developed a Community Action Plan listing training needs, interventions, and program planning for clinics, physician offices, education programs, and hospitals during the prenatal and postpartum periods.