Assessing The Impact of Mother’s Perception of Support on Breastfeeding intensity Through Six Months
Publication Date
2020
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Patterson, Julie Ann
Degree Name
M.S. (Master of Science)
Legacy Department
School of Health Studies
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Expert recommendations instruct mothers to exclusively breastfeed for infant’s first 6 months of life. While many mothers intend to breastfeed, mothers frequently cite early breastfeeding difficulties as a leading cause of breastfeeding cessation. The large discrepancy between a mother’s intentions for exclusive breastfeeding and the actual rates warrants further investigation. OBJECTIVES: The current research study utilized data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II to (1) to understand how the mother’s perception of breastfeeding support in the presence of breastfeeding difficulties affects breastfeeding intensity. METHODS: Multinomial logistic regression utilizing data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II. At each month (1:6), both a full and control model were fit to ascertain the impact of mother’s perception of support on breastfeeding intensity. Chi-squared test of independence completed at each month (1:6). RESULTS: 1 Month: With helpful support, risk ratio for high intensity breastfeeding compared to low intensity was 4.18 (95% CI:2.62-6.66). Unhelpful support had a risk ratio of 0.32 (95% CI:0.20-0.53) at the high intensity breastfeeding level. 2 Months: With helpful support, risk ratio for high intensity breastfeeding compared to low intensity was 4.07 (95% CI:2.61-6.36). Unhelpful support had a risk ratio of 0.28 (95% CI:0.22-0.61) at the high intensity breastfeeding level. 3 Months: With helpful support, risk ratio for high intensity breastfeeding compared to low intensity was 2.87 (95% CI:1.84-4.47). Unhelpful support had a risk ratio of 0.35 (95% CI:0.21-0.59) at the high intensity breastfeeding level. 4 Months: With helpful support, risk ratio for high intensity breastfeeding compared to low intensity was 2.48 (95% CI:1.58-3.88). Unhelpful support had a risk ratio of 0.34 (95% CI:0.19-0.59) at the high intensity breastfeeding level. 5 Months: With helpful support, risk ratio for high intensity breastfeeding compared to low intensity was 1.90 (95% CI:1.21-2.98). Unhelpful support had a risk ratio of 0.32 (95% CI:0.17-0.61) at the high intensity breastfeeding level. 6 Months: With helpful support, risk ratio for high intensity breastfeeding compared to low intensity was 1.40 (95% CI:0.87-2.24). Unhelpful support had a risk ratio of 0.33 (95% CI:0.17-0.65) at the high intensity breastfeeding level. CONCLUSION: Mothers that received helpful support were more likely to breastfeed at a high intensity compared to mothers that reported support as inconclusive. Mothers that indicated unhelpful support were 67% less likely to breastfeed at a high intensity by 6 months. Leveraging these findings, mothers that report early breastfeeding support as unhelpful can be targeted for further interventions.
Recommended Citation
Palomares, Kathryn Doyle, "Assessing The Impact of Mother’s Perception of Support on Breastfeeding intensity Through Six Months" (2020). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 7524.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/7524
Extent
135 pages
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
