Breastfeeding rates in the United States continue to rise, but still fall short of goals for both initiation and continuation. Many different maternal demographic characteristics have been identified as risk factors for not breastfeeding, but the literature remains inconsistent. National and even state-level data may not reflect patterns seen at the local level. Clinicians and breastfeeding advocates should be aware of the general trends, but should more importantly become familiar with the predominant risk patterns in their local area and populations. This presentation for the Breastfeeding Summit reports on our findings regarding the influence of race and economic status on breastfeeding behavior among women in inner city Philadelphia, and makes a case for advocates and clinicians to explore these trends in their own, local populations.
OdomEC, LiR, ScanlonKS, et al.Reasons for earlier than desired cessation of breastfeeding. Pediatrics, 2013; 131:e726–e732.
4.
TenfeldeSM, FinneganL, MillerAM, et al.Risk of breastfeeding cessation among low-income women, infants, and children: A discrete time survival analysis. Nurs Res, 2012; 61:86–95.
5.
ScanlonKS, Grummer-StrawnL, LiR, et al.Racial and ethnic differences in breastfeeding initiation and duration, by state – National Immunization Survey, United States, 2004–2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 2010; 59:327–334.
6.
JonesKM, PowerML, QueenanJT, et al.Racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med, 2015; 10:186–196.
7.
AnsteyEH, ChenJ, Elam-EvansLD, et al.Racial and geographic differences in breastfeeding—United States, 2011–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 2017; 66:723–727.
8.
JonesJR, KoganMD, SinghGK, et al.Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding in the United States. Pediatrics, 2011; 128:1117–1125.
9.
WienerRC, SambamoorthiU, HayesSE, et al.Association of breastfeeding and the federal poverty level: National survey of family growth, 2011–2013. Epidemiol Res Int 2016;2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9783704
10.
HeckKE, BravemanP, CubbinC, et al.Socioeconomic status and breastfeeding initiation among California mothers. Public Health Rep, 2006; 121:51–59.
11.
AllenJA, LiR, ScanlonKS, et al.Progress in increasing breastfeeding and reducing racial/ethnic differences – United States, 2000–2008 births. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 2013; 62:77–80.
12.
HurleyKM, BlackMM, PapasMA, et al.Variation in breastfeeding behaviours, perceptions, and experiences by race/ethnicity among a low-income statewide sample of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants in the United States. Matern Child Nutr, 2008; 4:95–105.
13.
ScottJA, BinnsCW. Factors associated with the initiation and duration of breastfeeding: A review of the literature. Breastfeed Rev, 1999; 7:5–16.
14.
WienerRC, WienerMA. Breastfeeding prevalence and distribution in the USA and Appalachia by rural and urban setting. Rural Remote Health, 2011; 11:1713.
15.
LynchS, BethelJ, ChowdhuryN, et al.Rural and urban breastfeeding initiation trends in low-income women in North Carolina from 2003 to 2007. J Hum Lact, 2012; 28:226–232.
16.
SparksPJ.Rural-urban differences in breastfeeding initiation in the United States. J Hum Lact, 2010; 26:118–129.
17.
LeeHJ, RubioMR, EloIT, et al.Factors associated with intention to breastfeed among low-income, inner-city pregnant women. Matern Child Health J, 2005; 9:253–261.
HundalaniSG, IrigoyenM, BraitmanLE, et al.Breastfeeding among inner-city women: From intention before delivery to breastfeeding at hospital discharge. Breastfeed Med, 2013; 8:68–72.
21.
RobbinsJM, ThomasD, TorcatoBR, et al.Breastfeeding in an inner-city patient population. J Health Care Poor Underserved, 2011; 22:473–481.
MasseyDS, DentonNA. Hypersegregation in U.S. metropolitan areas: Black and Hispanic segregation alson five dimensions. Demography, 1989; 26:373–391.
24.
BaileyBA, WrightHN. Breastfeeding initiation in a rural sample: Predictive factors and the role of smoking. J Hum Lact, 2011; 27:33–40.
25.
RozgaMR, KerverJM, OlsonBH. Self-reported reasons for breastfeeding cessation among low-income women enrolled in a peer counseling breastfeeding support program. J Hum Lact, 2015; 31:129–137; quiz 189–190.
26.
MercierRJ, BurcherTA, HorowitzR, et al.Differences in breastfeeding among Medicaid and commercially insured patients: A retrospective cohort study. Breastfeed Med, 2018; 13:286–291.
