The Association between Maternal Perception of Obstetric and Pediatric Care Providers’ Attitudes and Exclusive Breastfeeding Outcomes

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for 6 months. Successful breastfeeding requires support from family members, peers, and health care professionals. Objective: This study aimed to determine the association between maternal perception of the attitudes of obstetric and pediatric care providers about infant feeding during the neonatal period and exclusive breastfeeding at 1, 3, and 6 months. Methods: The study sample consisted of 1602 women from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (2005-2007), a longitudinal study of women in the United States. Analyses included chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests and logistic regression models. Results: Mothers who perceived that the obstetric care provider favored exclusive breastfeeding were significantly more likely to exclusively breastfeed their infants at 1 and 3 months (odds ratio [OR] = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-2.24; and OR = 1.41, 95% CI, 1.09-1.80, respectively) as compared to mothers who perceived that the obstetric care provider was neutral about the type of infant feeding. Similarly, mothers who perceived that the pediatric care provider favored exclusive breastfeeding had higher odds of exclusively breastfeeding their infants at 1 and 3 months (OR = 1.53, 95% CI, 1.17-1.99; and OR = 1.51, 95% CI, 1.17-1.95, respectively) as compared to mothers who perceived that the pediatric care provider was neutral about the type of infant feeding. The association was no longer significant at 6 months. Conclusion: Maternal perception of obstetric and pediatric care providers’ preference for exclusive breastfeeding during the neonatal period is associated with exclusive breastfeeding until 3 months.