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Title: Duration of Breastfeeding associated with the Breastfeeding Peer Support program for Husbands and Fathers of Brownsville, Texas WIC participants

Author
item Lovera, Dalia
item SANDERSON, MAUREEN - UT HSTN SPH
item Bogle, Margaret
item ACOSTA VELA, MARTHA - UT HSTN SPH

Submitted to: Journal Of The American Dietetic Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2007
Publication Date: 8/1/2007
Citation: Lovera, D., Sanderson, M., Bogle, M.L., Acosta Vela, M. 2007. Duration of breastfeeding associated with the breastfeeding peer support program for husbands and fathers of Brownsville, Texas WIC participants [abstract]. Journal of The American Dietetic Association. 107(8):A-111.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) pilot Peer Dad Program and duration of breastfeeding. Subjects were 200 couples and 49 mothers whose male partners did not participate in the Peer Dad Program. WIC mothers who initiated breastfeeding and their male partners were recruited from the Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services WIC clinic in Brownsville, Texas. Structured interviews were conducted with WIC participants and their male partners. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate breastfeeding duration associated with Peer Dad Program participation. Breastfeeding at least six months was more likely among mothers with more than a high school education and among those whose infant was introduced to a pacifier at the hospital. Fathers with less than a high school education were more likely to support their partner to breastfeed six months or longer. Maternal characteristics associated with breastfeeding less than six months included: previous breastfeeding, difficulty nursing, thinking that breastmilk was not enough for the infant, thinking they were not producing enough milk, and reporting they had too many household duties. Although not statistically significant, mothers whose partner participated in the Peer Dad Program were more likely to continue breastfeeding at least six months. Peer Dad Programs have the potential to increase breastfeeding knowledge among males and increase breastfeeding duration rates among couples. WIC breastfeeding educators should include the male partner in the counseling sessions.