Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant AssociationNov 28, 2013

How Mothers' Views of Birth and Childcare Providers' Attitudes Are Linked to Exclusive Breastfeeding

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Mar 29, 2026

Abstract

Mothers who perceive obstetric care providers as favoring exclusive breastfeeding are 1.73 times more likely to exclusively breastfeed at 1 month.

Maternal perception of obstetric care providers' support for exclusive breastfeeding is linked to higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 1 and 3 months.
An odds ratio of 1.73 indicates a significant increase in the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month when mothers perceive support from obstetric providers.
At 3 months, the odds of exclusive breastfeeding are also significantly higher (OR = 1.41) for mothers perceiving favor from obstetric care providers.
Perceptions of pediatric care providers' support for exclusive breastfeeding are similarly associated with higher rates of breastfeeding at 1 month (OR = 1.53) and 3 months (OR = 1.51).
The association between maternal perception of provider support and exclusive breastfeeding is not significant at 6 months.

Simplified

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for 6 months. Successful breastfeeding requires support from family members, peers, and health care professionals.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the association between maternal perception of the attitudes of obstetric and pediatric care providers about infant feeding during the neonatal period and exclusive breastfeeding at 1, 3, and 6 months.

METHODS: The study sample consisted of 1602 women from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (2005-2007), a longitudinal study of women in the United States. Analyses included chi-square and Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression models.

RESULTS: Mothers who perceived that the obstetric care provider favored exclusive breastfeeding were significantly more likely to exclusively breastfeed their infants at 1 and 3 months (odds ratio [OR] = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-2.24; and OR = 1.41, 95% CI, 1.09-1.80, respectively) as compared to mothers who perceived that the obstetric care provider was neutral about the type of infant feeding. Similarly, mothers who perceived that the pediatric care provider favored exclusive breastfeeding had higher odds of exclusively breastfeeding their infants at 1 and 3 months (OR = 1.53, 95% CI, 1.17-1.99; and OR = 1.51, 95% CI, 1.17-1.95, respectively) as compared to mothers who perceived that the pediatric care provider was neutral about the type of infant feeding. The association was no longer significant at 6 months.

CONCLUSION: Maternal perception of obstetric and pediatric care providers' preference for exclusive breastfeeding during the neonatal period is associated with exclusive breastfeeding until 3 months.

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How Mothers' Views of Birth and Childcare Providers' Attitudes Are Linked to Exclusive Breastfeeding

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