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  • Title: Breast-feeding attitudes and practices among adolescents.
    Author: Baisch MJ, Fox RA, Goldberg BD.
    Journal: J Adolesc Health Care; 1989 Jan; 10(1):41-5. PubMed ID: 2921188.
    Abstract:
    Breast-feeding attitudes of 128 low-income, pregnant adolescents were assessed using a questionnaire developed for this population. Teens who had been breast-fed as infants had more positive attitudes than bottle-fed teens (p less than 0.002); no differences in attitudes were found by race or age. Pregnant teens who planned to breast-feed their infants had higher attitude scores than those who planned to bottle feed or who were uncertain (p less than 0.001). Of the sample, 32.4% subsequently breast-fed their baby; these teen mothers had more positive attitude scores than the teen mothers who bottle fed (p less than 0.001). The prenatal infant feeding plans of these pregnant teens were significantly related to their postnatal feeding practices (p less than 0.001). Selected implications of these data for health care professionals are discussed. Breastfeeding attitudes of 128 low-income, pregnant adolescents were assessed using a questionnaire developed for the urban population attending the Teen Pregnancy Service of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The sample was between 13 and 20 years of age (mean age = 17.7 years). There were 14 adolescents 15 years of age or less, 81 teens 16-18 years, and 31 19-20 years. 68% were black, 6% hispanic, 24% white and 2% other. 100% were enrolled in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) 84% were receiving Title 19 benefits. Most were having their 1st child (72%); 21 had 1 other child; 6 had 2, and 2 mothers had 4. Teens who had been breastfed as infants had more positive attitudes than bottle-fed teens (p0.002); no differences in attitudes were found by race or age. Pregnant teens who planned to breastfeed their infants had higher attitude scores than those who planned to bottle feed or who were uncertain (p0.001). Of the sample, 32.4% subsequently breastfed their baby; these teen mothers had more positive attitude scores than the teen mothers who bottle fed (p0.001). The prenatal infant feeding plans of these pregnant teens were significantly related to their postnatal feeding practices (p0.001). Health care professionals could use the breastfeeding questionnaire, combined with information about a pregnant teen's plans for infant feeding, to provide baseline data regarding a pregnant adolescent's breastfeeding attitudes. Such information can be efficiently obtained during an early prenatal visit. Subsequent prenatal visits could correct teen misconceptions about breastfeeding (e.g. results in obesity) and emphasize the positive benefits to the infant and mother. It may be useful to invite the teen's boyfriend and mother, given the impact of these individuals on the teen's breastfeeding attitudes. Once a teen decides to breastfeed, significant support is required following delivery to ensure a positive experience. Studies show a "lactation support team" may make significant changes in increasing the use of breastfeeding.
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