Breastfeeding in African Americans May Not Depend on Sleep Arrangement

Abstract

Background Despite high bedsharing rates, breastfeeding rates are low among African Americans. Objective Describe the association between breastfeeding and bedsharing; elucidate barriers to breastfeeding in African Americans. Methods African American mothers with infants <6 months were recruited for this cross-sectional, mixed-methods study and completed an infant care practices survey. A subgroup participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Results A total of 412 completed the survey; 83 participated in a focus group or interview. Lower socioeconomic status mothers were more likely to breastfeed exclusively or at all if they bedshared (P = .02 and P = .01, respectively). Bedsharing was not associated with breastfeeding among higher socioeconomic status mothers. Breast pain, lack of support, and maternal skepticism about breastfeeding benefits were barriers; the latter was a recurrent theme among nonbreastfeeding mothers. Conclusions While bedsharing is associated with breastfeeding in lower socioeconomic groups, it is not in higher socioeconomic African American groups. Skepticism about breastfeeding benefits may contribute to low breastfeeding rates in African Americans.

Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment (BAE): A Black Women-Led Approach to Promoting a Multigenerational Culture of Health

“…Rather, participants cited barriers to breastfeeding, such as breast pain, having little support and general maternal skepticism about the benefits of breastfeeding. This was true for groups with low and high socioeconomic status [28].…”

“…A lack of knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding was not suggested by the literature. For example, a mixed methods study by Kadakia et al (2015) that examined the influence of bedsharing on breastfeeding found no relationship between the two factors. The hypothesis of the study was that parents who had bedsharing arrangements were more likely to breastfeed; instead, it was found that parents had a high knowledge of breastfeeding and that factors such as bedsharing were not influential on the decision to breastfeed.…”

Impact of a Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce Bedsharing on Breastfeeding Rates and Duration for African-American Infants

“…However, bedsharing was not associated with breastfeeding among higher socioeconomic status African-American mothers. Breast pain, lack of support, and maternal skepticism about breastfeeding benefits were cited by mothers as important barriers to breastfeeding success [40].…”