Best for baby : what factors influence new mothers when choosing between breastfeeding and bottle feeding babies under the age of two

Author

Jacquelyn S. Andrews, Smith College

Publication Date

2014

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Breastfeeding-Decision-making, Bottle feeding-Decision-making, Mother and child, Breastfeeding, Formula feeding, Mother and child support

Abstract

Mothers often find themselves under supported after the birth of a baby. This mixed method research study examines the factors that are considered influential to new mothers when making their initial infant feeding choice between breastfeeding and bottle feeding. This study presents the data from 1017 mothers who self identified as either primarily breast feeding mothers or bottle feeding mothers and indicated which biological, social, circumstantial, financial, psychological, and medical factors were the most influential in their choice. Both the breastfeeding and the bottle feeding samples consistently ranked health of the baby as the most influential factor. Bottle feeding mothers stated that the primary reason they chose to bottle feed was either low milk supply or inability to latch, both of which can be drastically improved through proper support both within the lactation professional capacity and in social policies that target supporting mothers.

Language

English

Comments

iv, 64 pages : color illustrations. Thesis (M.S.W.)-Smith College School for Social Work, 2014. Includes bibliographical references (pages 55-58)

Recommended Citation

Andrews, Jacquelyn S., "Best for baby : what factors influence new mothers when choosing between breastfeeding and bottle feeding babies under the age of two" (2014). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/751