ATTITUDES, PRACTICES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY OBSTETRICIANS ABOUT INFANT-FEEDING

Background: Little information is available about the degree to which obstetricians promote breastfeeding through patient care practices and educational activities. The purpose of this study was to determine th e attitudes, practices, and recommendations of obstetricians regarding infant feeding selection. Methods: A written survey was mailed to 148 obstetrician/gynecologists in Monroe County, New York (78% response r ate, n = 116). Results: Of the 104 physicians in active obstetric prac tice, 86 percent conducted prenatal discussions about infant feeding w ith patients, 80 percent recommended breastfeeding, and 68 percent wer e commonly contacted postpartum by patients to address breastfeeding q uestions. Overall, 57 percent routinely incorporated these breastfeedi ng supportive practices into their prenatal and postpartum patient car e. Attitudes about obstetric responsibility for infant feeding counsel ings and about the importance of counseling independently predicted th e provision of these services. Infant feeding information was given to patients by 98 percent of obstetricians; 75 percent used written and 39 percent used videotaped materials. Formula company-produced infant feeding literature (41%), pregnancy literature (57%), and free formula offers (61%) were commonly used. Of those surveyed, 58 percent lacked training and 22 percent reported inadequate training in infant nutrit ion. Conclusions: Although most obstetricians in Monroe County provide infant feeding education and recommend breastfeeding, most report and their training about infant nutrition is inadequate, and they distrib ute infant formula company materials and offers to patients. Such disc repancies in patient care inconsistent with promoting breastfeeding as optimal infant nutrition.