UNDERSTANDING INFANT FEEDING PRACTICES IN UNDERSERVED MOTHERS

Abstract Purpose: A program evaluation was conducted to assess the barriers and facilitators for breastfeeding among low-income, minority women. Methods: The records of 54 postpartum women served by a local health department were audited for barriers and facilitators related to breastfeeding practice. Interviews of 5 key informants were conducted and local and state breastfeeding policies were reviewed. Results: Among the 54 postpartum charts, 79.6% were Latino, and 20.4% were non-Latino. The women had an average age of 28 years and a range of 14-41 years. Only 54.8% of Latinos and 18.2% of non-Latinos (p=.031) had initiated breastfeeding at the initial postpartum visit (Healthy People 2020 goal for breastfeeding initiation is 81.9%). Most Latinos were single (79.1%), unemployed (76.7%), multigravida (88.4%), receiving WIC (90.7%), and delivered at the local community hospital (81.1%). Latinos were less likely to have a high school or post-high school education (19.5%) as compared to non-Latinos (80.0%, p=.001). Key informants revealed that major barriers included lack of maternal breastfeeding support, especially from grandmothers. Breastfeeding policies at the state and local levels lacked specific recommendations for breastfeeding duration. Conclusions: Recommendations include incorporating American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for breastfeeding and intentionally tracking breastfeeding status data at 6 months and increasing breastfeeding education and community outreach to increase widespread acceptance. Keywords: breastfeeding, WIC, underserved mother