Evaluation of breastfeeding promotion, support, and knowledge of benefits on breastfeeding outcomes

Background: In this study we examined how prenatal exposure to information about breastfeeding from various media sources, maternal knowledge of breastfeeding benefits, breastfeeding support during the neonatal period and several sociodemographic factors influence breastfeeding outcomes in early infancy. Methods: Data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II were used. The outcome variables included initiation of breastfeeding and breastfeeding at 2 months. Descriptive statistics and separate logistic regression models for each outcome variable were conducted. Results: Maternal exposure to higher levels of media sources of information about breastfeeding increased the likelihood of breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding at 2 months and exclusivity of breastfeeding at 2 months. Mothers with strong knowledge about breastfeeding benefits for infant health were 3.12 to 4.10 times more likely to initiate breastfeeding and breastfeed at 2 months than those with lower levels of knowledge about breastfeeding benefits. Prepregnancy overweight/obesity, smoking and lower levels of education significantly reduced the likelihood of breastfeeding initiation and breastfeeding at 2 months. Assistance with breastfeeding in the neonatal period was not significantly associated with any of the breastfeeding outcomes. Conclusion: Interventions to increase knowledge of breastfeeding benefits in the prenatal period may help to increase breastfeeding rates. More research is needed on the impact that prenatal exposure to various media sources of breastfeeding information has on breastfeeding outcomes.