Factors Affecting the Choice and Desire to Exclusively Breastfeed in Jamaica: A Cross-Sectional Study at 6 Weeks Postpartum.

Exclusive breastfeeding rates (EBRs) may be influenced by sociodemographic and sociocultural factors, including maternal age, socioeconomic status, education, and breastfeeding knowledge. The EBR in Jamaica has been low and declining, leaving a need for better determination of the specific local contributory factors. This study aimed to better elucidate the factors that influence mothers exclusively breastfeeding, including antenatal intentions to breastfeed, mothers' knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding, and mothers' infant feeding practices in general, inclusive of breastfeeding, formula feeding, and complementary feeding. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a 52-item interviewer-administered questionnaire with mothers attending their 6-week postnatal clinic visit. Sociodemographic data were collected on all participants as well as data regarding participants' breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Statistical analyses were done using χ(2) tests, t tests, and risk analyses. Two hundred participants were interviewed; the mean ± SD age of participants was 26.2 ± 6.46 years (range, 15-46 years). The EBR in this study sample was 32%. Sociodemographic factors, including maternal age and socioeconomic status, as well as antenatal and postnatal breastfeeding sessions, did not significantly affect the likelihood of exclusively breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum. The only factor significantly associated with the EBR was mothers' belief that exclusively breastfeeding was able to ensure infant satiety. Antenatal and postnatal breastfeeding sessions should place more emphasis on dispelling maternal myths and misperceptions regarding signs of satiety and hunger in infants and reinforcing the knowledge that breast milk alone is sufficient for the first 6 months of life.

Harrison A ，Fletcher-Groves S ，Gordon-Strachan G ，Thame M ... -  《-》

Facilitators and barriers of breastfeeding late preterm infants according to mothers' experiences.

Giannì ML ，Bezze E ，Sannino P ，Stori E ，Plevani L ，Roggero P ，Agosti M ，Mosca F ... -  《BMC Pediatrics》

Knowledge of Breastfeeding Recommendations and Breastfeeding Duration: A Survival Analysis on Infant Feeding Practices II.

Wallenborn JT ，Ihongbe T ，Rozario S ，Masho SW ... -  《-》

Prenatal infant feeding intentions and actual feeding practices during the first six months postpartum in rural Rwanda: a qualitative, longitudinal cohort study.

Ahishakiye J ，Bouwman L ，Brouwer ID ，Vaandrager L ，Koelen M ... -  《International Breastfeeding Journal》

Healthcare professionals' and mothers' perceptions of factors that influence decisions to breastfeed or formula feed infants: a comparative study.

This article is a report of a study comparing healthcare professionals' and mothers' perceptions of factors that influence the decision to breastfeed or formula feed an infant. The World Health Organisation recommends that mothers should breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months of age and then continue to do so alongside complementary foods for the first 2 years and beyond. However, levels of breastfeeding in the United Kingdom are below the recommended targets. Low levels of actual or perceived professional support and understanding are associated with formula use. Twenty professionals working closely with mothers of young infants completed a semi-structured interview exploring the reasons they believed mothers chose to use formula milk. Twenty-three mothers with an infant aged 6-12 months also reflected on their experiences of milk feeding. The data were collected during 2007-2008. Professionals described a range of influences on maternal decisions to breastfeed or formula feed including lack of knowledge, support and help with difficulties. These were strongly echoed in the reasons mothers gave for formula use, suggesting clear professional understanding of the challenges relating to breastfeeding. Although keen to give further support, professionals raised issues of lack of time and resources to support mothers. Contrary to maternal beliefs of poor professional understanding, professionals had a clear perception of influences affecting early milk feeding choice. Further resources and recognition are needed for healthcare professionals working with new mothers to enable them to offer increased support, with the aim of increasing breastfeeding duration.

Brown A ，Raynor P ，Lee M 《-》