How Motivation Influences Breastfeeding Duration Among Low-Income Women

Abstract

In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 low-income breastfeeding women to explore the incentives and disincentives to breastfeeding experienced within 6 months postpartum. Using an individual net benefit maximization (INBM) framework based on economic theory, we assessed women's motivations, incentives, and disincentives for breastfeeding. Based on the framework and their experience breastfeeding, women fell into 3 groups: intrinsically motivated, extrinsically motivated, and successfully experienced with both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Successfully experienced women were most likely to breastfeed to 6 months. Intrinsically motivated women valued breastfeeding but often required information and instruction to reach breastfeeding goals. Extrinsically motivated women were least likely to continue breastfeeding even with support and instruction. Providers can screen women to determine their experience and motivation then tailor interventions accordingly. Intrinsically motivated women may need support and instruction, extrinsically motivated women may benefit from motivational interviewing, and successfully experienced women may need only minimal breastfeeding counseling.

Benefits of Incentives for Breastfeeding and Smoking cessation in pregnancy (BIBS): a mixed-methods study to inform trial design

“…17,26,289 Incentive programmes therefore need to be flexible and tailored to fit with 'everyday life rungs', which was consistent with the qualitative evidence syntheses for the barriers to and facilitators of smoking cessation and breastfeeding (see Chapter 4). Early engagement in programmes at 'teachable moments of increased receptivity', with assessment of motivation and tailoring of the timing and modes of delivery, supports the conclusions of Racine and colleagues; 291 however, this creates challenges for the design of complex intervention trials. For behaviour maintenance, there is a need to tailor support to tie into 'pivotal points' (the times when support is most needed), such as the early days after birth, stressful situations, social events and return to work.…”

Enhancing Breastfeeding Rates Among African American Women: A Systematic Review of Current Psychosocial Interventions

“…Avery et al 79 recruited 152 women across 24 focus groups in three cities to assess mothers' perceptions of breastfeeding confidence. Similarly, Racine et al 80 recruited 44 predominantly low-income African American women from Maryland to participate in an in-depth interview designed to explore whether intrinsic or extrinsic motivation best predicted breastfeeding.…”

A novel peer-support intervention using motivational interviewing for breastfeeding maintenance: a UK feasibility study

“…9 At the level of the individual mother, motivation to breastfeed and breastfeeding self-efficacy are associated with continuation of breastfeeding. [10][11][12][13] However, a broader set of social and societal drivers are at play, many of which can interact with individual mothers' confidence, self-efficacy and determination to breastfeed. Extensive marketing of formula milk can denormalise breastfeeding; 14 social attitudes and norms, including attitudes and norms of experiencing breastfeeding vicariously, can affect mothers' confidence; and women's work and employment conditions can make decisions to continue breastfeeding more difficult.…”