Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding goals include 50% exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. Santa Clara County WIC (SCCWIC) data indicated Asian participants had low (5.6%) 6-month breastfeeding rates. To examine infant feeding practices, Vietnamese breastfeeding peer counselors surveyed 133 Vietnamese SCCWIC participants (>18 yrs old, non-pregnant, < 28 months post-partum) using a structured questionnaire regarding intentions, attitudes and subjective norms towards breastfeeding. Results indicated 75% initiated breastfeeding in the hospital (33% exclusively, 42% partially); 25% exclusively formula fed. At survey time, 49% had terminated breastfeeding (average duration 4.4 months). Feeding intentions during pregnancy predicted feeding method used (p < 0.001). Most prenatal advice was from SCCWIC employees, friends and doctors who supported breastfeeding. Most postnatal advice was from nurses who supported breast and bottle-feeding equally. Stronger control beliefs, peer counseling and education was correlated with breastfeeding (p < 0.001). Improved post-delivery hospital advice may further increase breastfeeding initiation and duration.

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