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Abstract

Recent reports indicate that breastfeeding rates continue to be dramatically lower among WIC participants, compared with other US mothers. The WIC Infant Feeding Practices Study was a nationally representative 1-year longitudinal study of WIC participants that obtained information about attitudes regarding infant feeding and about infant-feeding practices. Hispanic mothers were most likely to agree with statements about benefits of breastfeeding, and Black mothers were most likely to agree with statements about barriers. Concern about insufficient milk was common in all ethnic groups. Perceived benefits were associated with breastfeeding initiation (P < .05), longer breastfeeding duration (P < .01), and later formula initiation (P < .01); for barriers, the opposite pattern was found. Breastfeeding mothers who reported concern about insufficient milk breastfed for shorter durations (P < .001) and initiated formula earlier (P < .01). These results suggest possible messages that should be communicated as part of a re-energized WIC breastfeeding promotion campaign. In particular, maternal anxiety about insufficient breast milk must be addressed. J Hum Lact. 23(4):314-324.

Reportes recientes indican que los índices de lactancia materna continúan siendo dramáticamente bajos entre las madres participantes del programa WIC comparado con otras madres en los Estados Unidos. El Estudio de prácticas alimenticias del WIC fue un estudio representativo longitudinal de 1 año entre las participantes del programa WIC que obtuvo información sobre actitudes sobre alimentación infantil y sobre las prácticas actuales. Las madres Hispanas estaban en acuerdo con la afirmación sobre los beneficios de la lactancia materna y las madres afro americanas estaban en acuerdo con la afirmación sobre las barreras. La preocupación sobre producción insuficiente de leche fue común en todos los grupos étnicos. El comprender los beneficios se asocio a la iniciación de la lactancia (P < .05), mayor duración de la lactancia (P < .01), e iniciación tardía de formula (P < .01); para barreras, se encontró un patrón opuesto. Las madres que reportaron preocupación de producción insuficiente de leche amamantaron por periodos mas cortos e iniciaron alimentación con formula mas tempranamente. Estos resultados sugieren mensajes que se deben comunicar para revigorizar la campaña de promoción de la lactancia materna del programa WIC. Se debe hacer mayor énfasis en la ansiedad materna sobre producción insuficiente de leche.

Keywords

breastfeeding infant feeding WIC maternal attitudes insufficient milk prospective study

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Breastfeeding Attitudes and Reported Problems in a National Sample of WIC Participants

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