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Reasons for In-Hospital Formula Supplementation of Breastfed Infants From Low-Income Families
Jennifer A.F. Tender*,
Jayasri Janakiram,
Elda Arce,
Rubina Mason,
Talita Jordan,
Jennifer Marsh,
Sarah Kin,
Jianping He,
and
Rachel Y. Moon
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jtender{at}cnmc.org.
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Abstract |
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In-hospital formula supplementation of breastfed infants negatively impacts breastfeeding duration. Infants from low-income families have some of the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rates in the United States. The objectives of this study were to identify (1) reasons low-income breastfeeding mothers begin in-hospital formula supplementation and (2) risk factors for in-hospital formula supplementation. We surveyed 150 low-income mothers in a Washington, DC, clinic. Sixty percent had initiated breastfeeding, and 78% of these breastfed infants received formula supplementation in the hospital. There was no clear medical need for supplementation for 87% of the breastfed infants receiving supplementation. Infants of mothers who did not attend a prenatal breastfeeding class were almost 5 times more likely to receive in-hospital formula supplementation than those infants whose mothers had attended a class (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.05-21.14). Improved knowledge about breastfeeding among nursing and medical providers is important to minimize unnecessary formula supplementation for breastfed infants.
First published on October 29, 2008, doi:10.1177/0890334408325821
Journal of Human Lactation 2009;25:11.
A more recent version of this article appeared on February 1, 2009

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