Predictors of Breastfeeding Exclusivity and Duration in a WIC Sample

Background: Although low-income women of Mexican descent initiate breastfeeding, they fall short of meeting Healthy 2010 goals for breastfeeding exclusivity and duration. Furthermore, low-income women who obtain nutritional advice and breastfeeding support from Women, Infants, and Children's (WIC) Services breastfeed for shorter durations and are less likely to exclusively breastfeed than low-income women who do not receive WIC services.

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to breastfeeding exclusivity and duration in 400 low-income women of Mexican descent.

Methods: We used existing longitudinal data from a WIC clinic to explore how demographic, affective, cognitive, and motivational factors operated over 5 assessment visits (prenatal, 2-3 days postpartum, 1, 6, and 12-months postpartum). During each assessment visit, the women completed an interviewer-administered survey, and administrative data were updated. Duration was defined as the length of time that an infant received any breast milk and exclusivity was defined as the length of time an infant received breast milk without supplementation. Potential correlates of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity included demographic variables, type of health insurance, access to a breast pump, breastfeeding support from family and friends, previous breastfeeding experience, maternal and infant weight, birth complications, motivation to breastfeed, knowledge of breastfeeding recommendations, and maternal depression. Survival analysis will be used to model the probabilities of breastfeeding exclusivity and duration.

Significance to Maternal and Child Health : We will use findings from this study to develop and test interventions to improve breastfeeding exclusivity and duration in this vulnerable population.