Sociobehavioral determinants of breastfeeding at 6 months among first time Pennsylvania mothers

While breastfeeding has a number of benefits for child and mother, first time mothers in Pennsylvania are a unique population. The objective of this study is to examine sociobehavioral determinants of breastfeeding 6 months after birth among these women. Baseline, 1 month postpartum, and 6 month postpartum data from First Baby Study first time mothers who initiated breastfeeding were used (N=2,754). Multivariate logistic regressions were fit modeling breastfeeding 6 months after birth on prepartum behaviors, social factors, mother's health, and a full model of all sociobehavioral determinants and demographic covariates. Independently, significant prepartum behaviors were intent to breastfeed {OR(95% CI) = 4.82(3.93-5.93)} and gestational weight beyond recommendation {.70(.59-.83)}, while significant social factors included reporting trouble meeting basic needs during study period {.68(.56-.83)}, having public insurance ({.41(.31-.53)}; mother in service or labor occupations {.63(.49-.81); .78(.62-.98)}; and not being in poverty {1.51(1.13-2.03)}. Significant mother's health indicators included not having pregnancy complications {1.32(1.13-1.53)}, mother returning to the hospital in the one month since birth {.50(.26-.94)}, and number of prepartum depression symptoms suggesting further monitoring or need for professional referral {.69(.50-.96); .57(.37-.86)}. Once combined into a more efficient model, intent to breastfeed {5.03(4.06-6.23)}, gestational weight beyond recommendation {.73(.61-.88)}, trouble meeting basic needs {.67(.55-.82)}, public insurance {.51(.38-.67)}, prepartum depression symptoms suggesting professional referral {.57(.36-.90)}, mother's age {1.04(1.02-1.07)}, and being Hispanic {.52(.34-.79)} were significant predictors of breastfeeding 6 months after birth. Recommendations for best practices to encourage breastfeeding in this unique population are discussed.