Public Opinions About Infant Feeding in the United States

Birth ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Nelson ◽  
Ruowei Li ◽  
Cria G. Perrine ◽  
Kelley S. Scanlon
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Opinions

“Painful, yet Beautiful, Moments”: Pathways Through Infant Feeding and Dynamic Conceptions of Breastfeeding Success

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110321
Author(s):  
Mackenzie D. M. Whipps ◽  
Hirokazu Yoshikawa ◽  
Jill R. Demirci ◽  
Jennifer Hill
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Income ◽  
First Year ◽  
Cultural Narratives ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Written Narratives ◽  
Intensive Mothering ◽  
First Time

What is breastfeeding “success”? In this article, we challenge the traditional biomedical definition, instead centering visions of success described by breastfeeding mothers themselves. Using semi-structured interviews, quantitative surveys, and written narratives of 38 first-time mothers in the United States, we describe five common pathways through the first-year postpartum, a taxonomic distinction far more complex than a success–failure dichotomy: sustained breastfeeding, exclusive pumping, combination feeding, rapid weaning, and grinding back to exclusivity. We also explore the myriad ways in which mothers define and experience breastfeeding success, and in the process uncover the ways that cultural narratives—especially intensive mothering—color those experiences. Finally, we discuss how these experiences are shaped by infant feeding pathway. In doing so, we discover nuance that has gone unexplored in the breastfeeding literature. These findings have implications for supporting, promoting, and protecting breastfeeding in the United States and other high-income countries.

Sentencing in the United States: Practices and Public Opinions

2021 ◽  
pp. 209-232
Author(s):  
Joanna Pozzulo ◽  
Craig Bennell ◽  
Adelle Forth
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Opinions

scholarly journals COMPARING BREASTFEEDING AND FEEDING WITH INFANT FORMULA

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Kent
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Infant Formula ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health It ◽  
Codex Alimentarius ◽  
Codex Alimentarius Commission ◽  
National Governments

Global guidelines for infant formula say the ingredients are supposed to be those “which have been proved to be suitable for infant feeding.” “Proven” has not been defined, so there has not been any authoritative proof of suitability.  Assessment of infant formula has focused on its ingredients. Globally, the Codex Alimentarius Commission has set out a list of ingredients that should be in all infant formula, while also giving national governments the option to introduce some variations within that framework. As illustrated by the practice in the United States, infant formula that includes the ingredients specified in the global guidelines and in national law is described as nutritionally adequate.  This is not good enough. The gold standard against which infant formula should be compared is optimal breastfeeding. The comparison should be based not on examination of formula’s ingredients but on examination of its performance. Does infant formula do what it is supposed to do? Does feeding with any particular type of infant formula protect the health of infants and their mothers as well as breastfeeding? If not, it is not functionally adequate.  Some might argue that while infant formula is not quite as good as breastfeeding for protecting infants’ health, it is not much worse. Families might have their own reasons for feeding their infants with formula. There is a need for serious discussion of the gap between breastfeeding and feeding with formula and about the degree to which considerations other than the infant’s health might play a role. New parents should be supported in making wise, well-informed choices about how they will feed their infants.

scholarly journals Analysis of Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Surrounding Giving Birth During COVID-19 Among Pregnant Women in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 236-236
Author(s):  
Erin McKinley
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Sample Mean ◽  
Feeding Method ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Breastfeeding Intention ◽  
Food And Agriculture

Abstract Objectives To assess the relationship between perceived level of anxiety and concern with giving birth during COVID-19 and level of prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy among a sample of pregnant persons in the United States. Methods A sample of 849 pregnant persons, representing all 50 states and 5 US territories, were recruited via social media advertisements to take a 78-item web-based survey between May and December of 2020. The survey items assessed prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy using the valid PREP to BF scale, breastfeeding intention, anxiety with giving birth during COVID-19, concern for the baby being exposed at birth, and confusion with pregnancy recommendations during COVID-19. Results The sample, mean age 28.9 years, had a relatively high mean PREP to BF score (308.52 ± 62.74; range 39–390). Over 95% indicated a plan to incorporate breastmilk into their infant feeding routine either exclusively (68.96%) or in combination (26.5%). Seventy-one % were not confused by safe pregnancy recommendations, while 50.7% were “concerned” or “very concerned” their baby would be exposed to COVID-19 at birth, and 63.3% indicated they were “anxious” or “very anxious” about giving birth during the pandemic. One-way ANOVAs revealed persons with higher perceived anxiety (P = .024), more confusion over recommendations (P < .001), and more concern for their baby's exposure (P = .002) had significantly lower PREP to BF scores than their counterparts. Conclusions A pregnant person's anxiety, confusion over recommendations, and concern for their baby's safety had significant negative effects on prenatal self-efficacy for successful breastfeeding after birth during COVID-19. Prenatal healthcare teams should aim to discuss these aspects and reassure of proven safety protocols with pregnant patients to ease anxiety, confusion, or fear while helping to maintain or improve self-efficacy for the intended infant feeding method. Funding Sources This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture, Hatch project LAB94426.

scholarly journals Brazilian Immigrant Mothers’ Beliefs and Practices Related to Infant Feeding: A Qualitative Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 595-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Cristina Lindsay ◽  
Sherrie F. Wallington ◽  
Mary L. Greaney ◽  
Maria Helena Hasselman ◽  
Marcia Maria Tavares Machado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Immigrant Mothers ◽  
Solid Foods

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and timely introduction of appropriate solid foods are important determinants of weight status in infancy and later life stages. Disparities in obesity rates among young children suggest that maternal feeding practices during the first 2 years of life may contribute to these disparities. Brazilians are a growing immigrant group in the United States, yet little research has focused on parental beliefs and behaviors affecting the health of Brazilian immigrant children in the United States. Research aim: This study aimed to explore beliefs and infant-feeding practices of Brazilian immigrant mothers in the United States. Methods: Focus group discussions were conducted with Brazilian immigrant mothers. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis and themes categorized using the socioecological model. Results: Twenty-nine immigrant Brazilian mothers participated in the study. Analyses revealed that all participants breastfed their infants. The majority initiated breastfeeding soon after childbirth. However, most mothers did not exclusively breastfeed. They used formula and human milk concomitantly. Family and culture influenced mothers’ infant-feeding beliefs and practices in early introduction of solid foods. Conclusion: As the number of children in the United States growing up in families of immigrant parents increases, understanding influences on Brazilian immigrant mothers’ infant-feeding practices will be important to the development of effective interventions to promote healthy infant feeding and weight status among Brazilian children. Interventions designed for Brazilian immigrant families should incorporate an understanding of social context, family, and cultural factors to develop health promotion messages tailored to the needs of this ethnic group.

INFANT FEEDING PRACTICES IN HOSPITAL MATERNITY NURSERIES

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1958 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 288-297
Author(s):  
Herman F. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
United States Public Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Child Health Services ◽  
Fresh Milk ◽  
Complete Report ◽  
Breast Fed ◽  
Made In

THE VARIED practices in the routine feeding of infants in newborn nurseries in the United States are important to record as historic and scientific evidence of the customs of our times. This survey concerns some of the more important of these practices as they were applied in 1956 to 2,244,667 infants in 1,904 hospitals in the United States. There is indeed a paucity of information on a national scope as to the infant feeding and other practices in maternity nurseries. As part of a comprehensive study of Child Health Services conducted in 1946-47 by the American Academy of Pediatrics with the co-operation of the United States Public Health Service and the United States Children's Bureau, it was found that 38.1% of infants discharged from 2,513 hospitals during one specified week were breast-fed; 27% were breast and bottle-fed; and 34.9% bottle-fed only. In this same study it was found that of the various feeding mixtures, 73.2% of infants received evaporated milk; 10.7% fresh milk; and 16.1% prepared milk preparations. A complete report as to incidence of breast feeding in maternity nurseries in the United States, comparable to the data obtained by Bain in 1948, will be made in another paper. METHODS A questionnaire containing 21 interrogations was submitted to the nursery supervisors of the 2,981 hospitals having birth rates of 300 infants or more in 1955. The return of 63.9% of these questionnaires implies considerable enthusiasm and interest among supervisory personnel of maternity nurseries. Many pertinent comments were made and varied opinions relative to these procedures were volunteered. A unique feature of the report is that the results are presented not only in terms of hospitals, but also in numbers of infants involved.

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