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Prenatal breastfeeding confidence is not associated with infant feeding method at one month postpartum (LB479)
Author(s) -
Chezem Je Carol,
Bolin Jocelyn
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.lb479
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , confidence interval , medicine , cronbach's alpha , obstetrics , infant feeding , breast feeding , postpartum period , pregnancy , pediatrics , psychometrics , clinical psychology , biology , genetics
Background and Objective: Previous studies have observed a positive relationship between breastfeeding confidence and breastfeeding duration. The objective of this study was to describe associations between prenatal confidence and breastfeeding at one month postpartum. Methods: Expectant mothers planning to breastfeed for the first month postpartum were recruited from clinics and physicians’ offices. Maternal breastfeeding confidence was assessed in the third trimester of pregnancy using a 10‐item written survey developed by O’Campo et al. Pattern of infant feeding (fully formula fed or partially/fully breastfed) was determined at one month postpartum by telephone interview. Results: Of the 60 subjects who completed all study requirements, most were White (85%), educated beyond high school (72%) and married (73%). Initially, survey structure and reliability were assessed by exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha. Results indicated a unidimensional solution was optimal with a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.839 indicating good internal consistency. The mean confidence score was 4.6 + 0.82. At one month postpartum, 22 mothers (37%) reported formula‐feeding and 38 (63%) reported breastfeeding their infants. There was no significant difference in confidence score between mothers who formula‐fed and those who breastfed their infants. Conclusion: Findings from the current study are not in agreement with previous research on breastfeeding confidence. Differences may be due to the limited time frame and/or small sample size in the current study.