Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Association Between Healthcare Provider Type and Intent to Breastfeed Among Expectant Mothers

  • Published:
Maternal and Child Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background The primary purpose of this study was to determine the association between type of healthcare provider delivering prenatal care and intent to exclusively breastfeed. Methods A self-report survey was administered to 455 expectant mothers. Logistic regression was performed to determine the association between prenatal care provider type [obstetrician; other primary care physician (family doctor/general practitioner/internist/or other physician); midwife/nurse midwife; more than one provider; and other] with intent to breastfeed (exclusive/non-exclusive). Results Having a midwife/nurse midwife as a prenatal care provider was associated with intent to breastfeed compared to having an obstetrician (OR 2.544, 95 % CI 1.385–4.675). There was no difference in intent between women with another primary care physician and an obstetrician. Women with another type of health care provider, no prenatal care from a health professional, or no knowledge of who is providing prenatal care were less likely to intend to breastfeed (OR 0.228, CI 0.068–0.766) as compared to those with an obstetrician. Discussion/Conclusions Provider type is associated with intent to breastfeed among pregnant women. Women’s intent to breastfeed is an important predictor of breastfeeding initiation, continuation, and duration that may be assessed by healthcare providers during the prenatal period. A consideration of what features of provider care are associated with improved breastfeeding outcomes and characteristics of women seeking prenatal care with midwives may serve to formulate future prenatal care policies and education during prenatal care visits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

95 % CI:

95 % confidence interval

OR:

Odds ratio

References

  1. Kleinman, R. E., American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. (2009). Pediatric nutrition handbook (6th ed.). Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.

    Google Scholar 

  2. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2012). Section on breastfeeding. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 129(3), e827–e841. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-3552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Gdalevich, M., Mimouni, D., & Mimouni, M. (2001). Breast-feeding and the risk of bronchial asthma in childhood: A systematic review with meta-analysis of prospective studies. Journal of Pediatrics, 139(2), 261–266.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Metzger, M. W., & McDade, T. W. (2010). Breastfeeding as obesity prevention in the United States: A sibling difference model. American Journal of Human Biology, 22(3), 291–296.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ip S, Chung M, Raman G, Chew P, Magula N, DeVine D, et al. (2007) Breastfeeding and maternal and infant health outcomes in developed countries: Evidence report/technology assessment no. 153. Publication No. 07-E007. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

  6. Stuebe, A. (2009). The risks of not breastfeeding for mothers and infants. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2(4), 222–231.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Colaizy, T. T., Saftlas, A. F., & Morriss, F. H. (2012). Maternal intention to breast-feed and breast-feeding outcomes in term and preterm infants: Pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system (PRAMS), 2000–2003. Public Health Nutrition, 15(04), 702–710.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Donath, S., & Amir, L. H. (2003). Relationship between prenatal infant feeding intention and initiation and duration of breastfeeding: A cohort study. Acta Paediatrica, 92(3), 352–356.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Atchan, M., Foureur, M., & Davis, D. (2011). The decision not to initiate breastfeeding-women’s reasons, attitudes and influencing factors-a review of the literature. Breastfeeding Review, 19(2), 9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Queenan, J., Power, M. L., Farrow, V., & Schulkin, J. (2012). US obstetrician-gynecologists’ estimates of their patients’ breastfeeding rates. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 119(4), 838–844. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e31824a08ef.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Williams, L., Morrow, B., Shulman, H., Stephens, R., D’Angelo, D., & Fowler, C. I. (2006). PRAMS 2002 surveillance report. Atlanta, GA: Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Demirci, J. R., Bogen, D. L., Holland, C., et al. (2013). Characteristics of breastfeeding discussions at the initial prenatal visit. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 122(6), 1263–1270. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000435453.93732.a6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Lu, M. C., Lange, L., Slusser, W., Hamilton, J., & Halfon, N. (2001). Provider encouragement of breast-feeding: Evidence from a national survey. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 97(2), 290–295.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kornides, M., & Kitsantas, P. (2013). Evaluation of breastfeeding promotion, support, and knowledge of benefits on breastfeeding outcomes. The Journal of Child Health Care, 17(3), 264–273.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Bonuck, K., Stuebe, A., Barnett, J., Labbok, M., Fletcher, J., & Bernstein, P. S. (2014). Effect of primary care intervention on breastfeeding duration and intensity. American Journal of Public Health, 104, S119–S127.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Taveras, E. M., Li, R., Grummer-Strawn, L., et al. (2004). Opinions and practices of clinicians associated with continuation of exclusive breastfeeding. Pediatrics, 113(4), e283–e290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Odom, E. C., Li, R., Scanlon, K. S., Perrine, C. G., & Grummer-Strawn, L. (2013). Association of family and health care provider opinion on infant feeding with mother’s breastfeeding decision. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114, 1203.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Feldman-Winter, L. B., Schanler, R. J., O’Connor, K. G., & Lawrence, R. A. (2008). Pediatricians and the promotion and support of breastfeeding. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 162(12), 1142–1149.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Dusdieker, L. B., Dungy, C. I., & Losch, M. E. (2006). Prenatal office practices regarding infant feeding choices. Clinical Pediatrics (Phila), 45(9), 841–845.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. McDonald, S. D., Pullenayegum, E., Chapman, B., et al. (2012). Prevalence and predictors of exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 119(6), 1171–1179. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e318256194b.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. US Department of Health and Human Services. (2011). The surgeon general’s call to action to support breastfeeding.

  22. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013). Progress in increasing breastfeeding and reducing racial/ethnic differences—united states, 2000–2008 births. MMWR, 62(5), 77–80.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Bryant, A. S., Worjoloh, A., Caughey, A. B., & Washington, A. E. (2010). Racial/ethnic disparities in obstetric outcomes and care: Prevalence and determinants. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 202(4), 335–343.

    Google Scholar 

  24. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. (2011). Child Health USA 2011. Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  25. Texas Department of State Health Services. (2012). Texas WIC infant feeding practices surve. Obtained from Texas Department of State Health Services October 24, 2012.

  26. Synovate Consumer Opinion Panel Project FIRST. http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/ifps/questionnaires.htm.

  27. Cox, J. L., Holden, J. M., & Sagovsky, R. (1987). Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh postnatal depression scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 782–786.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Cox, J. L., Chapman, G., Murray, D., & Jones, P. (1996). Validation of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) in non-postnatal women. Journal of Affective Disorders, 39, 185–189.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Shrive, F. M., Stuart, H., Quan, H., & Ghali, W. A. (2006). Dealing with missing data in a multi-question depression scale: A comparison of imputation methods. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 6, 57.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infant Feeding Practices Study II and its Year Six Follow-Up. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2014. Accessed online on 1/4/2015 at www.cdc.gov/ifps/results.index.htm.

  31. Huynh M. Provider type and exclusive breastfeeding, New York City, 2009–10. Poster session presented at the APHA 142nd annual meeting & expo, New Orleans, LA. https://apha.confex.com/apha/142am/webprogram/Paper307125.html.

  32. Ahluwalia, I. B., Morrow, B., D’Angelo, D., & Ruowei, L. (2012). Maternity care practices and breastfeeding experiences of women in different racial and ethnic groups: Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring Systom (PRAMS). Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(8), 1672–1678.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Hundalani, S. G., Irigoyen, M., Braitman, L. E., Matam, R., & Mandakovic-Falconi, S. (2013). Breastfeeding among inner-city women: From intention before delivery to breastfeeding at hospital discharge. Breastfeed Medicine, 8(1), 68–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Lakshman, R., Ogilvie, D., & Ong, K. (2009). Mothers’ experiences of bottle-feeding: a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 94(8), 596–601.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Tarrant County Public Health for their collaboration.

Funding

This project was funded through a seed grant provided by the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), Fort Worth, TX, USA

    Elizabeth Balyakina, Kimberly G. Fulda & Susan F. Franks

  2. North Texas Primary Care Practice-Based Research Network (NorTex), University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), Fort Worth, TX, USA

    Kimberly G. Fulda

  3. Texas Prevention Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA

    Kimberly G. Fulda & Susan F. Franks

  4. College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Kathryn M. Cardarelli

  5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), Fort Worth, TX, USA

    Kollier Hinkle

Authors
  1. Elizabeth Balyakina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kimberly G. Fulda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Susan F. Franks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kathryn M. Cardarelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kollier Hinkle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kimberly G. Fulda.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Balyakina, E., Fulda, K.G., Franks, S.F. et al. Association Between Healthcare Provider Type and Intent to Breastfeed Among Expectant Mothers. Matern Child Health J 20, 993–1000 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1884-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1884-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation