| Summary |
The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine the association between attitudes, social normative influences, and infant feeding choice. The study hypothesis, derived from Ajzen and Fishbein's Theory of Reasoned Action, stated that women who choose to breastfeed will have a more favorable attitude to breastfeeding and will perceive more social support than women who choose to formula-feed. Data were collected from 215 mothers who gave birth at Carteret General Hospital during the six-month study period beginning in August, 1996, using a measurement tool designed by Dr. Karyn Kaufman. Half of the sample had chosen to breastfeed. Breastfeeding mothers were older, had more education, were more often non-smokers, had made their choice of feeding method earlier, and were employed in higher-status occupations than mothers who chose formula-feeding. Breastfeeding mothers expected fewer problems and more benefits from breastfeeding, and perceived their social networks as more supportive to their decisions, confirming the study hypothesis. Further research is needed to explain why women who choose to initiate breastfeeding often quit by six weeks postpartum, in spite of their positive attitudes and supportive social networks. |
