A study of WIC mothers social environment and postpartum health on breastfeeding initiation and duration

Understanding mothers’ social environment and overall wellbeing are important in determining how mothers’ will take care of themselves and their infants. Although, previous research have examined mothers’ overall health and wellbeing during the prenatal and postnatal period, few have examined the impact of mothers’ social environment and postpartum health on breastfeeding initiation and duration. In this study, we examine the social environment of mothers enrolled in a Supplementary Women Infant and Children (WIC) program in eastern Illinois and their postpartum health on breastfeeding initiation and 6 months of any and exclusive breastfeeding (n=103). The study found a significant positive association {3.42; CI (1.16 - 10.12); p-value = 0.039)} between marital status and breastfeeding initiation and a statistically significant negative association {OR = 0.25; CI (0.07 - 0.91)} between receiving food stamps and breastfeeding initiation. WIC mothers who were married were 4.3 times more likely to continue any breastfeeding and 3.3 times more likely to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months than single mothers. The breastfeeding initiation rate was 77.7%, however, the mean age (months) of child when breastfeeding stopped was 2.2 ± 1.4 SD. The main barrier to breastfeeding was that mothers could not make enough milk to satisfy baby. There was a non-significant negative association between self perceived depression and breastfeeding initiation {OR = 0.44; CI (0.15 - 1.3)} and employment status and 6 months exclusive breastfeeding {OR = 0.7; CI (0.21 – 2.3)}. This study shows that marriage plays a very important role in achieving the recommended breastfeeding guidelines.