| Research abounds about the benefits of breastfeeding. The breastfed infant is provided physical, cognitive, and, potentially, emotional advantages not provided the formula fed infant. The breastfeeding mother is also afforded physical gains. Research has demonstrated that adolescent parenthood is a relationship coupled with risk for both mother and child. Breastfeeding offers a tangible means of ameliorating some of the risk of adolescent parenthood, yet, research reveals that adolescent mothers are among those women least likely to breastfeed their infants.; The purpose of this research was to examine those factors that previous research indicated may influence an adolescent mother's infant feeding decision. Survey methods were used to sample Ohio WIC mothers who were rearing their own infant. Results indicated that although experiential/demographic factors (i.e., age, race, level of education, and having a prior child) were not predictive of an adolescent mother's infant feeding decision, knowledge about breastfeeding, attitudes toward breastfeeding, and perceived support for breastfeeding were significant in the prediction of the mother's choice of infant feeding method. Knowledge, attitudes, and support are amenable to educational intervention and more easily modifiable than experiential or demographic factors. The results of this research can be replicated and used to begin to design educational strategies to encourage this vulnerable group of young mothers to breastfeed their infants. |
