257648 Association between bags given at discharge and breastfeeding outcomes: Data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 8:45 AM - 8:55 AM

Radha Sadacharan, BA, MPH , Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
Xena Grossman, MS, RD , Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
Anne Merewood, PhD, MPH, IBCLC , Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
     
Background: Research found associations between distribution of industry sponsored formula sample packs postpartum, and decreased duration of any and exclusive breastfeeding. Few examined outcomes beyond 10 weeks postpartum. Data from Infant Feeding Practices Study II a national US-based longitudinal mail-in survey (2005-2007), we examined associations between long-term breastfeeding, and type of discharge bag received.

Goal: To determine whether discharge bag contents were associated with any or exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months.

Methods: We extracted practice, feeding, and demographic data including contents of the “gift bag” received. Per AAP recommendations, we chose 6 months as our breastfeeding endpoint.

Statistical analysis: Chi-squared tests and Cox proportional hazards models analyzed breastfeeding duration and exclusivity based on the type of discharge bag received adjusting for relevant sociodemographic variables.

Results: Of 2964 women, 80.5% received bags with formula; 4.6% received bags with formula coupons (not formula); 2.2% received bags with breastfeeding supplies, and 12.7% received no bag. We combined those who received formula and coupons, versus breastfeeding supplies or no bag. After adjusting for covariates, bag type remained an independent predictor for both any and exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. Any breastfeeding to 6 months was 52.3% among women who did not receive a formula bag, compared to 45.9% among women who did (HR=0.86; 95%;CI:0.77-0.96; p<0.006). Exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months was 9.7% among women who did not receive a formula bag, vs. 4.8% among women who did (HR=0.74; 95%CI:0.67-0.82; p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Type of discharge bag received was associated with feeding pattern at 6 months.

Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
The learner will be able to describe a barrier to successful breastfeeding at the hospital level

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Public Health Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Anne Merewood, PhD, MPH, IBCLC, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Boston University School of Medicine, Director of the Breastfeeding Center at Boston Medical Center, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Human Lactation. Dr. Merewood gained her undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Cambridge University, England, her Masters in Public Health from Boston University, and has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 1999
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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