Infant and young child feeding in emergencies

Infants and young children are vulnerable in any emergency. It is the position of the International Lactation Consultant Association that supporting their wellbeing should be a priority of governments, aid agencies, health workers, and members of the public. Such support should include assistance for exclusive and continued breastfeeding, safe artificial feeding where breastfeeding or provision of human milk is not possible, and appropriate complementary feeding for all infants and young children

Evaluation of a Comprehensive Loving Support Program Among State Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program Breast-Feeding Coordinators

Background: Mississippi was selected as a pilot state in the national breastfeeding promotion campaign titled Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work (LSMBW). To reinforce the national LSMBW project, the Mississippi Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Promotion Project Team developed a comprehensive program that included patient and family education, staff training, public awareness activities, health professional outreach, and partnerships with the community. The program also implemented a breastfeeding-friendly clinic environment project and a videotape project. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of Mississippi\u27s LSMBW activities among WIC breastfeeding coordinators in the United States. Method: The cross-sectional study was performed with the use of a mailed, self-administered questionnaire. Results: Representatives of 50 state WIC agencies returned the survey. Of these 50 agencies, 36 (72%) had effectively used education materials created by the state of Mississippi. Breastfeeding coordinators reported that among the campaign activities, staff training, community outreach, and peer counseling were most beneficial. They also identified the videotape project developed by Mississippi as useful in addressing barriers to breastfeeding and in training support groups, staff, and health care professionals. Conclusion: This study showed that Mississippi\u27s outreach activities and motivational videotape had a positive impact on coordinators\u27 promotion of breastfeeding

Predictors of Breastfeeding Intention Among Low-Income Women

Objective: Breastfeeding rates are below the Healthy People 2010 goals despite recognized benefits of breastfeeding. This study determined factors that predict breastfeeding initiation among low-income pregnant women. Methods: A self-administered closed-ended questionnaire was introduced to 694 pregnant women who were certified for WIC in Mississippi. The questionnaire collected data about demographics, breastfeeding intention, breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy, and three recognized barriers to breastfeeding: embarrassment, time and social constraints, and lack of social support. Results: In bivariate analysis, women who intended to breastfeed were more often white and had at least some college education, higher income, a smaller family size, fewer children, and previous breastfeeding experience than women who did not intend to breastfeed. Intenders had higher levels of breastfeeding knowledge and self-efficacy and reported fewer barriers to breastfeeding than nonintenders. In multivariate logistic regression, fewer children, past breastfeeding experience, breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy, and perceived social support were independent predictors of breastfeeding intention. Conclusions: Women at high risk for not wanting to breastfeed can be identified for additional support. Interventions should focus on improving breastfeeding knowledge, enhancing confidence in one\u27s ability to breastfeed, and overcoming barriers to breastfeeding, especially lack of social support, among low-income women

An Innovative Video Succeeds in Addressing Barriers to Breastfeeding Among Low-Income Women

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an innovative breastfeeding promotion video intervention in addressing barriers to breastfeeding among low-income women in the state of Mississippi. The 15-minute video features a diverse group of women and their families. Survey data were collected from Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children clients in the intervention group (n = 310) before and after watching the video, and from a comparison group (n = 204) that did not watch the video. The 2 groups were comparable at baseline. The intervention significantly improved women\u27s perceptions with regard to the “embarrassment” and “time and social constraints” barriers to breastfeeding. In terms of the “lack of social support” barrier, the video positively affected participants’ feelings that the baby\u27s father encouraged breastfeeding but did not change their perceptions of support from female relatives and friends. The authors conclude that the video is an effective method of breastfeeding promotion among low-income women. © 2002, Sage Publications. All rights reserved

Improving breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices of WIC clinic staff.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the impact of a breastfeeding promotion clinic environment project implemented by the state of Mississippi on breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices of WIC clinic staff. METHODS: Thirteen pairs of matched intervention and comparison WIC clinics participated in the study. Clinical and administrative staff completed pre-test and post-test self-administered questionnaires in 1998 and 1999. RESULTS: A total of 397 staff members provided pre-test data, and 277 staff members provided post-test data. Before project implementation, the intervention and comparison groups were similar overall. The majority of staff had positive attitudes/beliefs about breastfeeding, but gaps in knowledge and practices were noted. Post-test data showed that the project improved knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and confidence/practice of intervention clinic staff. CONCLUSIONS: Clinic environment projects, which combine physical improvements and staff training, are effective in promoting support for breastfeeding among public health clinic staff. Similar interventions may contribute to the overall effectiveness of breastfeeding promotion programs