Abstract

Breastfeeding is the optimal method to nourish and nurture an infant. Exclusive breastfeeding rates in the United States have reached the goal of Healthy People 2010 that 75% of mother's breastfeed in the immediate postpartum period. Yet, less than 35% of San Bernardino county mothers and 47.7% of Riverside county mothers are exclusively breastfeeding during their maternity hospital stays, with as many as 50% of the infants being weaned from the breast in the first 14 days of life.

This prospective study examined archived data collected by Perinatal Services Network (PSN) of Loma Linda University Medical Center/Children's Hospital for the period of July 2005 through June 2006. Participants are 21,842 mother/infant dyads who delivered in 19 PSN-contracted hospitals. We developed an adapted model of Ajzen's theory of planned behavior with the additions of skin-to-skin mother/infant contact and the hormone oxytocin (a mediator). Our hypothesis is that a mother's perceived behavioral control and attitude toward breastfeeding are positively affected once she experiences early skin-to-skin contact during the first 3 hours following birth and this will increase the likelihood of her exclusively breastfeeding.

Current literature does not explore how the duration of early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact is associated with exclusive breastfeeding during the maternity hospital stay; nor does it address specific maternal socio-demographic characteristics and intrapartum variables and their relationship to early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact and exclusive breastfeeding. This study was an attempt to address these voids.

Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariable ordinal logistic regression. Our findings showed that as the duration of early skin-to-skin mother/infant increased during the first 3 hours following birth there was an increased likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding during the maternity hospital stay. We also identified maternal socio-demographic characteristics and intrapartum variables that are predictors of early skin-to-skin mother/infant contact. Mothers who stated their intention to exclusively breastfeed were more likely to experience early skin-to-skin contact and mothers who experience early skin-to-skin contact are more likely to exclusively breastfeed. Our findings, if incorporated into hospital based practices and protocols, can strengthen maternal/infant bonding/attachment and early exclusive breastfeeding behaviors.

School

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Jerry W. Lee

Second Advisor

Susanne Montgomery

Third Advisor

Christine Neish

Fourth Advisor

Elizabeth Moore

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2008

Date (Title Page)

8-2008

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Breast Feeding -- psychology; Maternal Behavior; Infant, Newborn; Mother-Child Relations; Hospitalization

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

x; 129

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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