Maternal/infant Characteristics And Birth Location Impact On Breastfeeding Initiation And Duration

Abstract

PURPOSE: Healthy People 2020 goals emphasize the importance of breast milk as the best source of nutrition for infants. Variability in breastfeeding outcomes (initiation and duration) is attributable to maternal/infant characteristics and healthcare practices. Studies in Australia and Sweden reported no significant differences in breastfeeding duration by location; however, no U.S. study has evaluated duration outcomes in relation to birth location. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the influence of maternal/infant characteristics and birth location on breastfeeding outcomes. Design: A descriptive, secondary analysis was conducted using the CDC’s National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) 2006-2010. Participants: Data were obtained from in-person interviews. The sample (N=4,485) consists of women between the ages of 15 and 44 who reported their first live birth. DATA ANALYSIS: ANOVA, Chi-Square, t-tests, and Pearson (r) were used to evaluate differences in breastfeeding outcomes among birth location and maternal/infant characteristics. RESULTS: Mothers who delivered in a birth center breastfed significantly (p ≤ .01) longer (M=44.1 weeks) than mothers who delivered in a hospital (M=17.2 weeks). Full term infants were breastfed significantly (p < .001) longer (M=19.2 weeks) than preterm infants (M=14.7 weeks). Maternal demographic factors that strongly influenced breastfeeding initiation and duration included race, education, marital status, smoking status, and poverty level. CONCLUSIONS: The results support that birth centers consistently practice care associated with longer breastfeeding duration. Improving access to birth centers for care and integrating Baby Friendly care practices into hospitals may enhance efforts to meet the Healthy People 2020 goals for breastfeeding.