Premium
Knowledge of breastfeeding recommendations among pregnant women who had attended a WIC breastfeeding class
Author(s) -
Oaks Brietta,
NommsenRivers Laurie A,
Chantry Caroline J,
Dewey Kathryn G
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.lb263
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , pediatrics , family medicine , duration (music) , obstetrics , demography , sociology , art , literature
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended for 6 months and continued breastfeeding with complementary foods (BF) until at least 1 (American Academy of Pediatrics) to 2 y (World Health Organization). It is uncertain how effectively these recommendations are communicated. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of accurate knowledge of current breastfeeding recommendations among expectant primiparas who are enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. We based our analysis on data from the UC Davis Early Lactation Success [ELS] Study. Expectant primiparas ≥ 32 wk gestation were interviewed regarding their perception of the recommended duration of EBF and BF. Of the 532 women enrolled in the ELS study, 241 were enrolled in WIC, and 134 had attended a WIC breastfeeding class. Of the 134 women, the recommended duration of EBF was reported as “don't know” for 32 (23.9%); < 4 mo for 16 (11.9%); 4–6 mo for 11 (8.2%); and > 6 mo for 34 (25.4%); only 41 (30.6%) gave the correct response (6 mo). Regarding the recommended duration of any BF, 40 (29.9%) responded “don't know”. In conclusion, after attending a WIC breastfeeding class, more than 60% of the women either did not know the recommended duration of EBF or gave responses that were clearly incorrect. Efforts should be made to address the effectiveness of the WIC breastfeeding class.