Journal of Human Lactation

Infant feeding choice is influenced by social and cultural factors, as reflected in sociodemographic correlates of breastfeeding, which show consistently low breastfeeding rates among women from lowincome populations. This study examines attitudes and beliefs that are thought to affect feeding choice and breastfeeding behavior among diverse social and cultural groups. A breastfeeding behavior questionnaire asking women to respond to a variety of breastfeeding situations presented as narratives was administered to members of a La Leche League group and to a group of WIC participants. Results support the idea that different social groups of women display divergent attitudes toward and perceptions of breastfeeding. Although small sample size prohibits generalization of results, the findings reinforce the necessity of designing breastfeeding education programs within specific cultural contexts.

Women who participated in the Alabama WIC Program during 1986-88 and ceased breastfeeding during the months of May to August duringthoseyearsbreastfed an average 5.6months. Slightly fewer than 15 percent of the women who breastfed continued for 12 months or longer; 45 percent continued for six months; 59 percent did so for 4 months; and 21 percent breastfed for one month or less. Breastfeeding duration was related positively and independently to increased maternal age and parity. Younger women were more likely than older women to stop breastfeeding due to perceived insufficient milk, in order to return to work or school, or to use oral contraceptives. Women who ceased breastfeeding at or after one year postpartum tended to be older.

Migraine headaches affect 19 percent of adult women. A small group of these migraine sufferers also are breastfeeding mothers. Although a correlation has not been documented in the literature, some women have noted that the onset, frequency, or pattern of their migraine headaches changes during lactation.

Lactation consultants can provide education and support to breastfeeding women suffering from migraine. They also are in an excellent position to add case studies to the scientific database about this phenomenon.

The Florida Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition initiated a breastfeeding promotion project. The Coalition focused on hospital policies because of their impact on breastfeeding success and because of the potential for working with other state efforts directed at pregnant women or new mothers. The Florida Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition developed a three-part program. It consists of model hospital policies concerning breastfeeding, a lecture series which educates hospital nursing staff on the implementation of these model policies and a workshop through which trainers are prepared to present the educational program. Nurses' Association of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NAACOG), Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Florida Lactation Consultant Association (FLCA) all contributed to this project.