PEDIATRICS Vol. 79 No. 5 May 1987, pp. 689-695
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Breast Versus Bottle: Correlates of Adolescent Mothers' Infant-Feeding Practices

Alain Joffe MD, MPH1 and Susan M. Radius PhD1

1 From the Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the Health Science Department, Towson State University, Baltimore

Since the 1970s, breast-feeding as the preferred method of infant feeding has increased in overall popularity. However, certain populations, particularly poor, young, black, and less-educated women, have been slow to adopt this method. This prospective study was undertaken to identify factors relating to the choice of infant-feeding method among inner-city adolescents. Two hundred fifty-four pregnant adolescents completed a questionnaire supplying information regarding attitudes toward and knowledge about breast-feeding, social support, personal experience, and other variables hypothesized to correlate with their choice of infant-feeding method. Of the total sample, 17% said they were "probably" or "definitely" going to breast-feed their babies. Analyses revealed adolescents most likely to intend to breast-feed were those who perceived more benefits to breast-feeding, who desired more knowledge about it, who were themselves breast-fed, who reported supportive social environments, and who perceived relatively fewer barriers to breast-feeding their infants. Specific interventions based upon these findings are proposed. We conclude that adolescent mothers are interested in breast-feeding their babies and that interventions are feasible to increase breast-feeding within this population.

Key Words: infant-feeding practices • breast-feeding • adolescent mother • health education

Submitted on April 21, 1986
Accepted on July 22, 1986




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