A SELF-HELP PROGRAM TO INCREASE BREAST-FEEDING AMONG LOW-INCOME WOMEN

This project evaluated a self-help manual designed to motivate low-inc ome mothers to breastfeed. The manual communicated simple breastfeedin g skills as a low-cost extension of counseling. It was tested in a ran domized, two-group pre-/post-test design among 151 low-income pregnant women. Seventy-three treatment women received the manual and standard breastfeeding information; 78 controls received only information. Six ty percent of treatment women initiated breastfeeding compared to 44% of the controls (p = .04). No significant differences in breastfeeding duration were found. Data suggest that the manual was positively asso ciated with breastfeeding initiation, justifying the development of re visions to improve efficacy, especially for breastfeeding duration.