Why Women Decide Not to Breastfeed
- 1 December 1991
- Vol. 18 (4), 222-225
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-536x.1991.tb00105.x
Abstract
The reasons for the low frequency of breastfeeding at an urban medical center were evaluated in a study in which 81 women were interviewed concerning the factors affecting their choice of infant feeding method and attitudes toward breastfeeding. One-half of the women made their decision during pregnancy, and 41 percent did so before conception. They received information on infant feeding methods from health care providers, family, and friends. In addition to their own thoughts and feelings, family members had the most influence on the feeding method. The influence of health care providers was minimal, yet most women received early and comprehensive prenatal care. Although they thought that breastfeeding was better for the baby, the majority chose to bottle feed due to negative attitudes toward breastfeeding, conflicting responsibilities or schedules, convenience, negative breastfeeding experiences, and health or medical reasons.Keywords
This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit:
- Breast Feeding Preference of Hispanic and Anglo WomenClinical Pediatrics, 1989
- Breastfeeding Among Low-Income, High-risk WomenClinical Pediatrics, 1989
- Infant-Feeding Practices Among Middle-Class Anglos and HispanicsPediatrics, 1988
- Breast Versus Bottle: Correlates of Adolescent Mothers' Infant-Feeding PracticesPediatrics, 1987
- The choice to breast feed or bottle feed and influences upon that choice: a survey of 1525 mothersChild: Care, Health and Development, 1987
- Breastfeeding adoption by low‐income black womenHealth Care for Women International, 1986
- Developmental Issues and the Choice of Feeding Method of Adolescent MothersJournal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 1985
- The recent trend in milk feeding among WIC infants.American Journal of Public Health, 1982
- Maternal Practice and Attitudes Toward BreastfeedingJOGN Nursing, 1981
- The obstetrician's opportunity: Translating “breast is best” from theory to practiceAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1980