Race/Ethnicity-Specific Associations Between Breastfeeding Information Source and Breastfeeding Rates among U.S. Women

Abstract

Objectives. To assess race/ethnicity-specific associations between breastfeeding information sources and breastfeeding initiation and duration. Methods. We used data from the 2016–2019 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. Race/ethnicity-stratified multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate associations between information source (e.g., family/friends) and breastfeeding rates (0 weeks/none, < 10 weeks, or ≥ 10 weeks). All analyses were weighted to be nationally representative. Results. Among 5,945,018 women (weighted), 88% reported initiating breastfeeding (≥ 10 weeks = 70%). Information from family/friends (< 10 weeks: aORs = 1.58–2.14; ≥10 weeks: aORs = 1.63–2.64) and breastfeeding support groups (< 10 weeks: aORs = 1.31–1.76; ≥10 weeks: aORs = 1.42–2.77) were consistently associated with breastfeeding initiation and duration across all racial/ethnic groups; effects were consistently smaller among Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic women (vs White women). Over half of American Indian and one-quarter of Black women reported not initiating/stopping breastfeeding due to return to school/work concerns. Conclusions. Associations between breastfeeding information source and breastfeeding rates vary across race/ethnicity. Culturally tailored breastfeeding information and support from family/friends and support groups could help reduce breastfeeding disparities. Additional measures are needed to address disparities related to concerns about return to work/school.

Early and Higher Volumes of Formula Supplementation after Birth Impact Breastfeeding Rates at Discharge in Well-Baby Nursery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…African American mothers and mothers with Medicaid insurance tend to supplement sooner. This feeding pattern may be partly explained by the lack of social support networks and prenatal breastfeeding guidance among this population, as reported in recent studies [17][18][19]. Our data illustrates that earlier the FS after birth lesser the rates of BFAD, as each additional hour increase in supplementation time from birth increases the odds of BFAD by 2.8%.…”

Uneven reproduction: Gender, race, class, and birth outcomes

“…Maybe it is not surprising that in both the DRC and the US Black breastfeeding people are less likely to initiate breastfeeding. We may do well to ask if these outcomes are the social scars of colonialism and enslavement that have left the residue of discrepancy (Quintero et al., 2023). Contemporarily, race and class mediate Black women's breastfeeding, with White women being the recipients of breastfeeding support to a greater degree than Black women.…”

Sociodemographic inequities in food allergy: Insights on food allergy from birth cohorts

“…For example, there are substantial, longstanding racial, and ethnic disparities with respect to both the probability of initiation as well as the duration of breastfeeding within the United States. 61 For example, non-Hispanic Black families have been reported to be least likely to initiate breastfeeding of all major racial and ethnic groups in the United States, and data from non-Hispanic Black adults also has indicated that they are less likely to breastfeed for ≥6 months, compared to other groups. 61,62 Recent data from a national US survey 63 assessing infant feeding practices since the establishment of the 2017 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)-sponsored addendum guidelines for the primary prevention of peanut allergy, identified that non-Hispanic Black families and families with lower annual household income and parental educational attainment were also significantly less likely to introduce commonly allergenic solids (e.g., peanut, hen's egg) into their child's diet during the first year of life.…”

“…61 For example, non-Hispanic Black families have been reported to be least likely to initiate breastfeeding of all major racial and ethnic groups in the United States, and data from non-Hispanic Black adults also has indicated that they are less likely to breastfeed for ≥6 months, compared to other groups. 61,62 Recent data from a national US survey 63 assessing infant feeding practices since the establishment of the 2017 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)-sponsored addendum guidelines for the primary prevention of peanut allergy, identified that non-Hispanic Black families and families with lower annual household income and parental educational attainment were also significantly less likely to introduce commonly allergenic solids (e.g., peanut, hen's egg) into their child's diet during the first year of life. Notably, lower earning families and those identifying as non-Hispanic Black race were less likely to receive primary care provider guidance to introduce commonly allergenic solids during the first year of life-identifying a possible behavioral mechanism through which sociodemographic inequity in FA outcomes may emerge.…”

“…These and other findings suggesting a protective effect of earlier introduction of allergenic solids, breastfeeding duration, and greater dietary diversity, are notable given the considerable amount of data showing racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences in the US context, with respect to each of these dietary exposures. For example, there are substantial, longstanding racial, and ethnic disparities with respect to both the probability of initiation as well as the duration of breastfeeding within the United States 61 . For example, non‐Hispanic Black families have been reported to be least likely to initiate breastfeeding of all major racial and ethnic groups in the United States, and data from non‐Hispanic Black adults also has indicated that they are less likely to breastfeed for ≥6 months, compared to other groups 61,62 …”