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Factors influencing the decision to formula feed infants (1016.2)
Author(s) -
Brown Nicole,
Gregoire Mary,
Sowa Diane,
Chen Yimin,
Ratz Natalie
Publication year - 2014
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.28.1_supplement.1016.2
Subject(s) - formula feeding , infant formula , medicine , infant feeding , breast feeding , demography , breast milk , scale (ratio) , pediatrics , family medicine , psychology , geography , biochemistry , chemistry , cartography , sociology
This research investigated factors that contributed to 88 mothers’ decisions to formula feed (either exclusively or in conjunction with breast milk) infants delivered at a Midwestern academic medical center where many Baby Friendly practices are used. The sample of black (39%), Hispanic (39%), and white (17%) mothers had a mean age of 27.8 years; 35.2% were married. The mother’s decision to formula feed was consistent with how the infant’s father thought the baby should be fed (73% preferred formula) for white mothers, less so with black (48% of fathers preferred formula) and Hispanic mothers (35%). The opinions of the baby’s father, mother’s mother, and mother’s friends on how the baby should be fed were of somewhat limited importance to all mothers regardless of race (m<3.5 on 5 pt scale). Mothers’ scores on the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale were similar across race (scores 56, 56, 57 out of 85 with lower scores indicating stronger attitudes towards formula feeding). Few of the mothers (<20%) indicated that their doctor, their baby’s doctor, or the hospital staff favored their choice of formula feeding their infant and only a third indicated they received help with formula feeding while in the hospital. Mothers choosing to formula feed in a hospital focusing on Baby Friendly practices may receive limited support from physicians and staff.