The association between maternal perception of obstetric and pediatric care providers' attitudes and exclusive breastfeeding outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for 6 months. Successful breastfeeding requires support from family members, peers, and health care professionals.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the association between maternal perception of the attitudes of obstetric and pediatric care providers about infant feeding during the neonatal period and exclusive breastfeeding at 1, 3, and 6 months.


METHODS
The study sample consisted of 1602 women from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (2005-2007), a longitudinal study of women in the United States. Analyses included chi-square and Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Mothers who perceived that the obstetric care provider favored exclusive breastfeeding were significantly more likely to exclusively breastfeed their infants at 1 and 3 months (odds ratio [OR] = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-2.24; and OR = 1.41, 95% CI, 1.09-1.80, respectively) as compared to mothers who perceived that the obstetric care provider was neutral about the type of infant feeding. Similarly, mothers who perceived that the pediatric care provider favored exclusive breastfeeding had higher odds of exclusively breastfeeding their infants at 1 and 3 months (OR = 1.53, 95% CI, 1.17-1.99; and OR = 1.51, 95% CI, 1.17-1.95, respectively) as compared to mothers who perceived that the pediatric care provider was neutral about the type of infant feeding. The association was no longer significant at 6 months.


CONCLUSION
Maternal perception of obstetric and pediatric care providers' preference for exclusive breastfeeding during the neonatal period is associated with exclusive breastfeeding until 3 months.
['Ramakrishnan|Rema|R|', 'Oberg|Charles N|CN|', 'Kirby|Russell S|RS|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel D001942:Breast Feeding D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007231:Infant, Newborn D016015:Logistic Models D008137:Longitudinal Studies D008297:Male D009035:Mothers D009774:Obstetrics D016017:Odds Ratio D010372:Pediatrics D010465:Perception D011181:Postnatal Care D014481:United States D055815:Young Adult
breastfeeding breast milk breastfeeding attitudes breastfeeding support