THE INFANT-FEEDING DECISION IN LOW AND UPPER INCOME WOMEN

Few studies have described the woman who chooses breast-feeding by more than simple demographics. The purpose of our study was to characterize new mothers by their infant feeding decisions, by demographic and obstetrical data, and by sources of personal support they received during their pregnancies and in making their infant feeding decisions. To this end, 220 were interviewed, including 116 who chose to breastfeed. Breast-feeding women were more likely to be older, more educated, married, more affluent, experienced with breast-feeding, to have demonstrated good prenatal habits, and to have received support from other sources than those who chose bottle feeding. Participation in Lamaze classes, previous successful breast-feeding, and maternal education were significant predictors of feeding choice, and mode of delivery predicted duration of breastfeeding. Low income women who chose breastfeeding resembled low income bottle feeders in certain medical/social factors, but they showed support patterns similar to middle to upper income women. © 1990, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.