Discordance in Couples Pregnancy Intentions and Breastfeeding Duration: Results from the National Survey of Family Growth 2011-2013

The Interaction of Race and Pregnancy Intentions on Breastfeeding Initiation Rates and Duration in the United States

Background: Unintended pregnancy increases adverse perinatal health outcomes. Limited studies exist on the influence of pregnancy intention on breastfeeding. This study examines the interaction of Race and couples' pregnancy intention on breastfeeding initiation and duration. Methods: Using the National Survey of Family Growth (2017-2019), we categorized breastfeeding into three categories (never breastfed, breastfed for 6 months or less, and breastfed for more than 6 months). Multinomial logistic regression and probability marginal effects were estimated across racial categories (Hispanics, non-Hispanic [NH] White, Black, and NH-others or multiracial). Results: The probability (Pr.) of never breastfeeding was the greatest among NH-Black women for all pregnancy intentions-both intended (Pr.: 0.34), mother-only (Pr.: 0.27), father-only (Pr.: 0.45), ambivalent (Pr.: 0.55), and neither intended (Pr.: 0.37). The probability of breastfeeding for 6 months or less is highest for Hispanics for both intended (Pr.: 0.41), NH-White for mother-only intended (Pr.: 0.49), Hispanics for father-only intended (Pr.: 0.56), ambivalent pregnancy intentions (Pr.: 0.60), and NH-others or multiracial for neither intended pregnancies (Pr.: 0.48). The probability of breastfeeding for more than 6 months is highest for NH-others or multiracial for both intended (Pr.: 0.50), ambivalent (Pr.: 0.49), and neither intended (Pr.: 0.36), while highest for NH-Black for mother-only intended (Pr.: 0.43). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the interaction of Race and couples' pregnancy intention on breastfeeding initiation and duration. Owing to the high volume of unintended pregnancies in the United States, the current study might help maternal and child healthcare providers understand the interaction between race and pregnancy intentions on breastfeeding initiation and duration in the United States.

Reproductive Coercion, Intimate Partner Violence, and Unintended Pregnancy Among Latina Women

Reproductive coercion (RC) describes a range of behaviors that restrict reproductive autonomy including pregnancy coercion, birth control sabotage, and controlling the outcome of a pregnancy. RC is associated with pregnancies that are mistimed and unwanted (i.e., unintended). Past research demonstrates that Latina women have higher risk for RC and for unintended pregnancy. This cross-sectional descriptive study with Latina women (n = 482) examined prevalence and risk factors for RC, evaluated the association of RC and unintended pregnancy among women with a past-year pregnancy, and explored use of safety and harm reduction strategies. A tablet survey was administered to women attending a community health center, between the ages of 15 and 45, who self-identified as Latina and who had a dating or sexual partner in the past year. Approximately one in six (16.8%) experienced past-year RC and risk factors included younger age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.91, 1.00], p = .038) and concurrent intimate partner violence (IPV; AOR = 4.47, 95% CI = [2.06, 9.70], p < .001). IPV questions were specific to the partner involved with RC behaviors. For the 185 participants who reported a past-year pregnancy, RC was associated with lower pregnancy planning scores (β = -.27, 95% CI = [-0.41, -0.13], p < .001). The combination of experiencing RC and IPV appeared particularly potent in lowering pregnancy planning scores (β = -.15, 95% CI = [-0.29, 0.00], p = .052). Approximately 10.6% of participants engaged in harm reduction strategies, most commonly ending an unhealthy or abusive relationship (6.1%) and using less detectable methods of contraception so that partners would not find out (3.4%). The study articulates the risk of RC and its intersection with IPV and unintended pregnancy for Latina women. Providers working with racially and ethnically marginalized women have an important role in promoting safety and harm reduction strategies that include offering less detectable methods of contraception and support in leaving unhealthy and abusive relationships.

Parental Cohabitation and Breastfeeding Outcomes Among United States Adolescent Mothers

AbstractBackground: Adolescent mothers in the United States experience disproportionately lower rates of breastfeeding compared to older mothers. Evidence suggests that paternal support helps improve breastfeeding outcomes; however, support is difficult to quantify. Parental cohabitation is easy to identify and could be used to quantify paternal support. Research Aim: Our study is to investigate the association between parental cohabitation and breastfeeding initiation and duration among US adolescent mothers. Materials and Methods: Data from the 2011-2017 National Survey of Family Growth were used. Our study sample included primipara, adolescent mothers (aged 15-19 years) who gave birth to a singleton (n = 1,867). Multivariate logistic regression and Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to analyze the relationship between cohabitation and breastfeeding initiation and duration, respectively. All models were subsequently stratified by race/ethnicity due to evidence of effect modification. Results: After adjusting for all a priori confounders, cohabiting with the infant's father at birth was associated with increased odds of breastfeeding initiation compared to noncohabiting adolescent mothers (odds ratio [OR]: 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-2.16). After stratifying by race/ethnicity, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adolescent mothers were more likely to initiate breastfeeding if cohabiting with the infant's father (OR_Hispanic: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.10-3.35; OR_{Non-Hispanic white}: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.05-2.87). We found no evidence of an association between parental cohabitation and breastfeeding duration. Conclusions: Our study found evidence that cohabitation status at birth increases the odds of breastfeeding initiation in adolescent mothers. Practitioners should consider cohabitation status when working with adolescent mothers.

Factors Influencing the Duration of Breastfeeding among Polish Women

Objective

The study aimed to analyse the factors that influence the duration of breastfeeding among Polish women.

Materials and methods

The study group consisted of 1,024 mothers of children aged 6–18 months who were breastfeeding or are currently breastfeeding. Data were collected through a computer-assisted Web interview. Univariate analysis and correspondence analysis were performed to determine the predictors of exclusive breast-feeding and breastfeeding among Polish women.

Results

Maternal age, maternal education, pre-pregnancy body mass index, voivodeship, birth weight and due time had a significant impact on breastfeeding duration (p < 0.05). Mothers who were older (35± years of age), had a higher level of education and lived in mid-sized cities were more often breastfeeding exclusively, in accordance with the World Health Organization's recommendations. Women who were younger, had a lower level of education, lived in rural areas, and had a lower BMI breastfed exclusively for a shorter period. The most frequently suggested reason for breastfeeding cessation was maternal concerns about insufficient milk supply (41%). The percentage of women who gave up breastfeeding before the 6th month following the delivery was the highest in the northeastern region of Poland (53%), whereas the percentage of women who stopped exclusive breastfeeding was the highest in the southwest region of Poland (69.4%).

Conclusions

Our study highlights that the reasons for breastfeeding cessation are often complex. Therefore, the promotion of breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life should be a social responsibility.