scholarly journals Factors Influencing Maternal Decision-Making on Infant Feeding Practices

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney N. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Breastfeeding Support ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Multiple Dimensions

The decision to formula feed or breastfeed a child typically begins with an established prenatal intention. This chapter will examine the multiple dimensions influencing maternal decision-making in regards to the feeding practices of infants including 1) individual maternal characteristics, 2) organizational factors, 3) hospital/provider recommendations, and 4) systematic/policy factors. The chapter will also examine the impact of infant feeding practices on early infant and childhood health outcomes. Research has demonstrated the benefits of breastfeeding on infants and early childhood which includes but is not limited to protection against common illnesses and infections, improved IQ , and even increased school attendance. Moreover, the World Health Assembly global nutrition objectives focus on encouraging breastfeeding support across all sectors in addition to implementing tailored community-based approaches, limiting the excessive marketing of infant formula, and enforcing supportive breastfeeding legislation. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the dynamic interplay between individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors, such as policies that impact breastfeeding rates and more specifically the health of infants.

Infant Nutrition in the Subtropics and Tropics (World Health Organization Series No. 29), ed. 2, by Derrick B. Jelliffe, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.A.P.H.A. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1968, 335 pp., $9.00 clothbound

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 308-308
Author(s):  
Nevin S. Scrimshaw
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Infant Nutrition ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Since its publication in 1955, the WHO Monograph, Infant Nutrition in the Subtropics and Tropics by Derrick Jelliffe, has been indispensable reading and reference for persons dealing with pediatric problems in the developing areas of the world. Its review of infant feeding practices in tile subtropics and tropics was unique, and its description of nutritional diseases among young children in these areas was concise and reliable. The chapters on improving infant feeding, preventing nutritional disease, and introducing nutrition education were by far the best published guidelines available.

scholarly journals Early infant feeding practices in Ireland; current and secular analyses of infant feeding in two prospective birth cohort studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Hemmingway ◽  
Dawn Fisher ◽  
Teresa Berkery ◽  
Mairead E Kiely
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Infant Formula ◽  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
World Health ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices

AbstractRecognised as the optimum infant feeding method, breastfeeding affords substantial health benefits to mother and infant. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended to 6 months, with continuation thereafter. In Ireland, data indicates that 60% breastfeed to any extent at hospital discharge and 40% do so at 3 months. However, nationally collected data is limited in detail, particularly with regard to breastfeeding continuation. The ongoing Cork-based COMBINE birth cohort study recruited 456 participants between 2015 and 2017. Through interviewer-led questionnaires, research midwives collected feeding data at hospital discharge, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9 months of age. Infant feeding was classed as breast (breastmilk as main milk source), combination (both breastmilk and infant formula daily) or infant formula only feeding. Adherence to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation to exclusively breastfeed (breastmilk only, no infant formula, supplementary fluids or solid foods) was examined longitudinally. To explore secular changes, breastfeeding rates in COMBINE were compared to the BASELINE birth cohort study, which recruited participants (n = 2116) between 2008 and 2011 in the same setting. In COMBINE, 75% of mothers provided any breastmilk (breast or combination) at hospital discharge, of whom 44% breastfed only. Two-fifths (40%), one-third (33%) and one-quarter (24%) breastfed at 1, 4 and 6 months, respectively. Combination feeding of breastmilk and infant formula was prevalent at discharge (31%) and 1 month (20%). Advice from healthcare professionals (31%) and concern baby was hungry (30%) were commonly reported reasons for this practice and throughout the study, mothers who combination fed were more likely to stop breastfeeding altogether than those who breastfed (all P < 0.001). Infant formula only feeding increased from 25% at discharge to 40% at 1 month, 49% at 2 months and 74% at 9 months. Half (45%) of mothers who breastfed did so for less than 4 months and insufficient milk/growth faltering was the most commonly cited reason for cessation (27%). The rate of WHO-defined exclusive breastfeeding was 40% from birth to discharge, 22% to 1 month, 15% to 4 months and 2% to 6 months. The breastfeeding (breastmilk as main milk source) rate at discharge did not differ between our two birth cohorts (44 vs. 40%, P = 0.23), but was significantly higher in COMBINE compared to BASELINE at 2 (36 vs. 27%) and 6 (24 vs. 12%) months (both P < 0.05). While these data provide evidence of some progress towards longer breastfeeding durations, there remains much scope to improve infant feeding practices in Ireland.

scholarly journals Associations between Cultural Identity, Household Membership and Diet Quality among Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino Infants in Hawaiʻi

Children ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Jessie Kai ◽  
John J. Chen ◽  
Kathryn L. Braun ◽  
Joseph Keaweʻaimoku Kaholokula ◽  
Rachel Novotny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Native Hawaiian ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Pacific Islander ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Infant Diet

Public health efforts to reduce diet-related health disparities experienced by indigenous peoples could be enhanced by efforts to improve complementary infant feeding practices. The latter is possible through interventions informed by cultural determinants. This cross-sectional secondary analysis explored possible determinants of the complementary feeding practices of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and/or Filipino infants (NHPIF) in Hawaiʻi, ages 3–12 months. The objective was to determine the association between caregiver cultural identity and infant household membership with indicators of infant diet healthfulness. The cultural identities, infant household memberships, early infant feeding practices and additional demographic information (infant age and sex, household income) were assessed via an online questionnaire. Surrogate reporting of the infants’ diets over four days was evaluated using an image-based mobile food record (mFR). Data collected by the mFR were evaluated to derive the World Health Organization’s minimum dietary diversity (MDD) indicator and food group consumption. Data were summarized by descriptive statistics and analyzed using multivariate linear and logistic regressions. Seventy infant participants, ages 3–12 months, and their primary caregivers completed the study. Of these, there were 56 infant participants between the age of 6–12 months. Approximately 10% of infants, ages 6–12 months, met MDD for all four days. Meeting MDD and the number of food groups consumed were significantly associated with age. Caregiver cultural identity, infant household membership and infant sex had non-significant associations with indicators of infant diet quality. Findings inform the influences shaping dietary patterns of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Filipino infants in Hawaiʻi.

scholarly journals A qualitative analysis of factors influencing infant and young children feeding perceptions and practices, of working mothers, in London Borough of Ealing

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-82
Author(s):  
Anna Krivtsova ◽  
Regina Keith
Keyword(s):  
Small Group ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Working Mothers ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
London Borough ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Uk

Introduction: Optimum infant feeding practices, during the first 1000 days of life, are essential for children's health and development. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends putting the infant to the breast within the first hour of life, and exclusively breastfeeding for six months. If every infant was exclusively breastfed 823,000 infant deaths could be avoided annually. Despite this fact only 41% of infants worldwide are exclusively breastfed. The Global Nutrition Target 5 seeks to increase this figure to 50% by 2025. In the UK, although there is widespread knowledge on the benefits of breastfeeding, with 81% mothers initiating breastfeeding, only 24% are exclusively breastfeeding at 6 weeks. By six months only 1% of mothers are still exclusively breastfeeding. This is the lowest rate in Europe. This research aimed to explore the infant feeding practices and perceptions of a small group of working mothers, with children under the age of five, in the London Borough of Ealing. Methodology: This study applied a qualitative methodology to gain a deeper understanding of factors influencing infant and young child feeding practices in a small group of working women. Two gatekeepers were used to recruit 14 participants through a mixture of convenience and snowball sampling. All mothers included were working and living in the Ealing Borough of London with children under five. Methods utilised for data collection included online interviews and open-ended surveys. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach, identifying four themes and eleven sub themes from the participants. Results: The study identified that mothers sought information on infant feeding from online sources, printed books, family and friends, and educational classes. However, most mothers expressed the need to have more information on different feeding methods and childbirth in general. Mothers highlighted that the main factors influencing their decision on how to feed their baby included the need to develop a strong connection with their baby, nutritional benefits for the infant and general knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding. Most participants reported that they started breastfeeding at birth. Six mothers exclusively breastfed their baby until six months, followed by the introduction of complementary foods. Three of these mothers continued to breastfeed until nine months.  Five mothers started formula feeding within two months due to personal challenges such as lack of support, perceived lack of milk supply and anatomical challenges such as tongue-tied infants. Mothers did not find work as a major barrier to breastfeeding. Conclusions: Increased information and support on all aspects of infant feeding could help the UK achieve their 2025 target. The timing of complementary feeding and clear advice on where to seek nutrition support could be included in an English Infant Feeding Strategy, like the strategy implemented in Scotland. More discussion on the small size of an infant’s stomach could reduce early breastfeeding cessation due to perceptions around lack of milk.

scholarly journals Reported infant feeding practices and contextual influences on breastfeeding: qualitative interviews with women registered to MomConnect in three South African provinces

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zara Trafford ◽  
Sara Jewett ◽  
Alison Swartz ◽  
Amnesty E. LeFevre ◽  
Peter J. Winch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
South African ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Local Policy ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Younger Women

Abstract Background Global guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life. South African EBF rates have steadily increased but still only average 32% for infants below 6 months of age. Malnutrition and developmental delays continue to contribute substantially to the morbidity and mortality of South African children. MomConnect, a national mHealth messaging system used to send infant and maternal health messages during and after pregnancy, has a specific focus on improving rates of breastfeeding and has achieved high rates of population coverage. Methods For this qualitative study, we interviewed women who were registered to MomConnect to investigate their breastfeeding and other infant feeding practices, decision-making pre- and post-delivery, and the role of the health system, family members and the wider community in supporting or detracting from breastfeeding intentions. Data were collected from February–March 2018 in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Gauteng provinces. Framework analysis was conducted to identify common themes. Results Most women interviewed had breastfed, including HIV-positive women. Even when women had delivered by caesarean section, they had usually been able to initiate breastfeeding a few hours after birth. Understandings of EBF varied in thoroughness and there was some confusion about the best way to cease breastfeeding. Most women felt well-equipped to make infant feeding decisions and to stick to their intentions, but returning to work or school sometimes prevented 6 months of EBF. Advice from the health system (both via clinics and MomConnect) was considered helpful and supportive in encouraging EBF to 6 months, although family influences could thwart these intentions, especially for younger women. Mothers reported a range of breastfeeding information sources that influenced their choices, including social media. Conclusions Efforts to improve EBF rates must include consideration of the social and economic environment surrounding women. Interventions that focus only on improving women’s knowledge are valuable but insufficient on their own. Attention should also be paid to infant behaviors, and how these affect women’s breastfeeding choices. Finally, although there is strong local policy support for EBF, more rigorous implementation of these and other broader changes to create a more enabling structural environment ought to be prioritized.

scholarly journals Infant feeding practices in the Saharawi refugee camps Algeria, a cross-sectional study among children from birth to six months of age

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inger Aakre ◽  
Anne Marie Lilleengen ◽  
Marie Lerseth Aarsand ◽  
Tor A. Strand ◽  
Ingrid Barikmo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional
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