Prevalence and factors affecting breastfeeding among Aboriginal women in Northwestern Ontario.

To evaluate breastfeeding outcomes among Aboriginal women and to determine variables affecting breastfeeding in the early postpartum period. Prospective cohort study. Two sites in Northwestern Ontario, Canada: a tertiary care center and a rural hospital. One hundred thirty breastfeeding Aboriginal women agreed to participate in the study. All women completed a baseline survey in hospital that included questions regarding demographic, prenatal, breastfeeding, obstetric, postpartum, and neonatal characteristics. Women were then telephoned at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum to complete additional questionnaires regarding infant feeding. Low rates of breastfeeding initiation (69%) and exclusive breastfeeding were identified at 4 (37.5%) and 8 (35.3%) weeks postpartum. Among those who initiated breastfeeding, duration rates at 4 (86%) and 8 weeks (78%) postpartum are comparable to other studies. Variables associated with any and exclusive breastfeeding at 8 weeks included the following: (a) household income, (b) intended breastfeeding duration, (c) plan to exclusively breastfeed, (d) perception of meeting their planned duration goal, and (e) higher breastfeeding self-efficacy. Partner support was associated with any breastfeeding at 8 weeks but not exclusivity. Women who were breastfeeding exclusively in hospital (prevalence ratio [PR] = .48, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.27, 0.86]), did not smoke (PR = 2.5, 95% CI [1.4, 4.3]) and/or use substances during pregnancy (PR = 4.5, 95% CI [1.5, 14]) were more likely to be breastfeeding exclusively at 8 weeks. Many of the variables may be considered modifiable and amenable to intervention. Targeted interventions should be directed toward improving breastfeeding outcomes among Aboriginal women.

McQueen K ，Sieswerda LE ，Montelpare W ，Dennis CL ... -  《-》

Breastfeeding self-efficacy in women of African descent.

McCarter-Spaulding D ，Gore R 《-》

Maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and the breastfeeding behaviors of newborns in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

To explore the maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy of Chinese women, the breastfeeding behaviors of newborns, and the relationship with breastfeeding outcomes at 6 weeks postpartum. Descriptive correlation study. Postnatal ward of a regional maternity hospital All postnatal Chinese women who were admitted from mid-February 2010 to mid-March 2010 with the intention of breastfeeding. The Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) was used to assess neonatal breastfeeding behaviors, and a modified Chinese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (MBSES-SF) was used to examine the breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers. A total of 199 postnatal women were recruited. At 6 weeks postpartum, 85 (42.7%) infants were bottle-fed, 66 (33.2%) were complementary breastfed, and 48 (24.1%) were exclusively breastfed. The significant contributing factors for exclusive breastfeeding were women who planned to breastfeed for at least 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 5.537, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.430, 12.619], p ≤ 0.001), women with a high level of breastfeeding self-efficacy (OR =, 7.776, 95% CI [2.546, 23.748], p ≤ 0.001), and those women whose infants had high-IBFAT scores (OR = 2.381, 95% CI [1.019, 5.562], p = .045). Maternal breastfeeding confidence and newborn breastfeeding behavior are strong predictors of breastfeeding duration as well as exclusivity. Health care professionals should monitor the breastfeeding behavior of newborns and not only provide mothers with the factual information on breastfeeding but help also them to develop maternal confidence in breastfeeding before they are discharged.

Loke AY ，Chan LK 《-》

Maternity care practices and breastfeeding experiences of women in different racial and ethnic groups: Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS).

Ahluwalia IB ，Morrow B ，D'Angelo D ，Li R ... -  《-》

What predicts intent to breastfeed exclusively? Breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs in a diverse urban population.

Stuebe AM ，Bonuck K 《-》