Breastfeeding Interventions in Kansas

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant s life. In the United States, about three quarters of women start breastfeeding in the early post-partum period and less than half are still breastfeeding their infant at six months of age. Through a multi-faceted approach, the primary goal of breastfeeding interventions is to promote breastfeeding. This book examines the effectiveness of breastfeeding programs through the mothers' eyes by asking her about breastfeeding practices, her beliefs toward breastfeeding, and what she perceives are barriers toward breastfeeding. Mothers report that one-on-one services from a breastfeeding specialist, availability of breastfeeding equipment, and support from their own mother greatly influence their decision to start and continue breastfeeding. Employers continue to be viewed as barriers toward breastfeeding. This book should be especially useful for public health practitioners and clinicians when designing and implementing a breastfeeding support program. This book will also help enhance current breastfeeding services and their delivery.