Likelihood of Breastfeeding Within the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Population

Abstract

Background Breastfeeding is an important public health initiative. Low-income women benefiting from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are a prime population for breastfeeding promotion efforts. Research aim This study aims to determine factors associated with increased likelihood of breastfeeding for WIC participants. Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement guided the systematic review of literature. Database searches occurred in September and October 2014 and included studies limited to the previous 10 years. The following search terms were used: low-income; WIC; women, infants, and children; breastfeeding; breast milk; and maternal and child health. The criterion for inclusion was a study sample of women and children enrolled in the WIC program, thereby excluding non-United States–based research. Results Factors that increased the likelihood of breastfeeding for WIC participants included sociodemographic and health characteristics (n = 17); environmental and media support (n = 4); government policy (n = 2); intention to breastfeed, breastfeeding in hospital, or previous breastfeeding experience (n = 9); attitudes toward and knowledge of breastfeeding benefits (n = 6); health care provider or social support; and time exposure to WIC services (n = 5). Conclusion The complexity of breastfeeding behaviors within this population is clear. Results provide multisectored insight for future research, policies, and practices in support of increasing breastfeeding rates among WIC participants.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Reasons for Breastfeeding Cessation Among Women Participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

“…Hence, nonnative populations may benefit from health care professionals who are trained to respond to concerns regarding infant satisfaction with breast milk . Marital status and education also predicted reasons for breastfeeding cessation, which has previously been recognized among this WIC population . Breastfeeding beliefs, practices, and experiences vary within and across cultures, and thus, individualized lactation support will better address women's breastfeeding needs.…”

“…Other races were not considered in the analysis because of the small sample size. Additional independent variables included 7 sociodemographic factors that are known to influence the likelihood of breastfeeding duration or cessation . These were the women's age at birth, educational level, and marital status, whether she was born in or outside the US, parity, household federal poverty level (FPL), and food security status.…”

“…Breastfeeding advice given by WIC counselors and support services have been reported to differ by race and ethnicity. [12][13][14] Thus, having an understanding of the differences in reasons for breastfeeding cessation is important to optimize breastfeeding success among these subgroups and tailor messaging and interventions. The objective of this study was to assess racial and ethnic differences in self-reported reasons for breastfeeding cessation during the first year postpartum among a national sample of women participating in WIC.…”

“…Black women (21%) and Hispanic women (42%) make up the largest minority proportions of the total population of persons who participate in the WIC program. Breastfeeding advice given by WIC counselors and support services have been reported to differ by race and ethnicity . Thus, having an understanding of the differences in reasons for breastfeeding cessation is important to optimize breastfeeding success among these subgroups and tailor messaging and interventions.…”

Identifying Barriers and Supports to Breastfeeding in the Workplace Experienced by Mothers in the New Hampshire Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Utilizing the Total Worker Health Framework

“…Breastfeeding prevalence among low-income women, specifically women enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), continues to be below national targets established in Healthy People 2020 [17]. Nationally, WIC mothers have lower rates of breastfeeding than non-participants, despite WIC’s efforts to encourage breastfeeding through the Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work campaign and the WIC Peer Counseling Program [18,19,20]. Among WIC participants, barriers to breastfeeding include embarrassment toward breastfeeding in public, early return to work or school, infant behavior, lactation complications, lack of self-efficacy, low income, limited social support, less education, and unsupportive childcare [21,22,23,24].…”