Factors influencing infant feeding practices of mothers in Vancouver

This study describes factors influencing infant feeding choices of 434 moth ers with 9-month-old infants in Vancouver. Consistent with Social Cognitive Theory, both internal personal and socio-environmental factors influence i nfant feeding choices. Mothers attributed the choice to breastfeed primaril y to personal choice, whereas the choice to formula feed was attributed to socio-environmental factors. Among mothers who breastfed <3 months, the cho ice to ean was primarily attributed to concern for baby's nutrition; compar ed to returning to work, concern about milk supply and concern for baby's n utrition among those who breastfed greater than or equal to 3 to <6 months; and returning to work and personal choice among those who breastfed greate r than or equal to 6 months. Among Caucasian mothers, the choice to wean wa s primarily attributed to returning to work, compared to concern for baby's nutrition among non-Caucasian mothers. Initiatives to facilitate further a dvances in breastfeeding promotion could address three areas; 1) prenatal i ntentions, 2) early postpartum concerns, and 3) later issues surrounding re turning to work and infant nutrition.