Factors affecting attitude towards breastfeeding in public: a cross-sectional web-based study on Polish women

Abstract

Aim Breastfeeding is believed to be beneficial to both mother and child. Although the percentage of Polish mothers who start breastfeeding after childbirth is relatively high, most of them finish after 8–12 weeks. Many factors are involved in the decision to stop, including an unfavourable social attitude towards breastfeeding in public. Our cross-sectional web-based study was conducted to identify the factors predicting negative attitudes towards public breastfeeding among Polish women. Subjects and methods A population-based internet-administered public opinion survey was conducted among 663 women aged 19 to 50 years old regarding their attitude towards breastfeeding in public. The participants completed a questionnaire concerning demographic data, general beliefs about breastfeeding and attitudes towards breastfeeding in public. Results Overall, 46.6% of respondents had a negative attitude towards breastfeeding in public. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that the beliefs that breastfeeding is not a natural activity [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 17.54; 95% CI = 1.44–21.95] and that breastfeeding is not emotionally moving (AOR = 8.73; 95% CI = 3.950–19.30) or not having any opinion (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.18–4.50) to play the most significant roles in shaping a negative attitude, as well as breastfeeding their own child for < 6 months (AOR = 13.93; 95% CI = 0.14–20.24). Conclusions As women’s beliefs about breastfeeding play a key role in choosing to breastfeed in public, there is a need to further explore attitudes regarding this activity.

Challenges to Breastfeeding During the First Four Weeks Postpartum Among Mothers Aged 18 – 29 Years, Who Attend Selected Clinics in Eleuthera, the Bahamas

“…[20] Socioeconomic factors such as economic wealth and educational level impact breastfeeding practices, and a social environment impacts the health service and information availability and accessibility. [19] Jones et al also examined how cultural challenges impact breastfeeding duration and initiation across multiple races. [21] Beauregard et al also examined the ethnic and racial disparity in breastfeeding rate and practices.…”

The influence of bystander presence on evaluations of public breastfeeding among adults in the United States

“…Acker [ 11 ] suggested a connection between sexist attitudes and one’s endorsement of gender roles in people’s evaluations of public breastfeeding, but past research has scarcely examined this relationship. Olejnik [ 25 ] found that people in unmarried romantic relationships had more negative views of public breastfeeding than those who were married. Because those in married relationships are more likely to endorse traditional gender roles [ 26 ], we predicted that individuals who adhere more strongly (vs. less strongly) to traditional gender roles would evaluate the publicly breastfeeding woman less favorably overall.…”