Poverty and Breastfeeding: Comparing Determinants of Early Breastfeeding Cessation Incidence in Socioeconomically Marginalized and Privileged Populations in the FiNaL Study

• Published in: Health Equity
• Main Authors: Julia Temple Newhook, Leigh Anne Newhook, William K. Midodzi, Janet Murphy Goodridge, Lorraine Burrage, Nicole Gill, Beth Halfyard, Laurie Twells
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Mary Ann Liebert 2017
• Subjects: breastfeeding cessation; poverty; social determinants of health; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1089/HEQ.2016.0028; https://doaj.org/article/969891f5df8f4925920fad16670cd533

Purpose: Infant feeding differences are strongly tied to socioeconomic status. The goal of this study is to compare determinants of early breastfeeding cessation incidence in socioeconomically marginalized (SEM) and socioeconomically privileged (SEP) populations, focusing on birthing parents who intended to breastfeed. Methods: This cohort study includes data from 451 birthing parents in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador who reported intention to breastfeed in the baseline prenatal survey. Multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to assess the determinants of breastfeeding cessation at 1 month in both SEM and SEP populations. Results: The analysis data included 73 SEM and 378 SEP birthing parents who reported intention to breastfeed at baseline. At 1 month, 24.7% (18/73) in the SEM group had ceased breastfeeding compared to 6.9% (26/378) in the SEP group. In the SEP population, score on the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) (odds ratio [OR] 3.33, p=0.01) was the sole significant determinant. In the SEM population, three significant determinants were identified: unpartnered marital status (OR 5.10, p=0.05), <1 h of skin-to-skin contact after birth (OR 11.92, p=0.02), and negative first impression of breastfeeding (OR 11.07, p=0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that determinants of breastfeeding cessation differ between SEM and SEP populations intending to breastfeed. Interventions intended on improving the SEM population's postpartum breastfeeding experience using best practices, increasing support, and ensuring at least 1 h of skin–skin contact may increase breastfeeding rates.