Unintended pregnancy and breast-feeding behavior
Dye, T.D.; Wojtowycz, M.A.; Aubry, R.H.; Quade, J.; Kilburn, H.
American Journal of Public Health 87(10): 1709-1711
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0090-0036 PMID: 9357361 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.87.10.1709Document Number: 269633
This study assessed the effect of unintended pregnancy on breast-feeding behavior. All women delivering a live birth between January 1, 1995, and July 31, 1996 (n = 33,735), in the 15-county central New York region were asked whether they had intended to become pregnant and their breast-feeding plans. Women with mistimed pregnancies, and pregnancies that were not wanted were significantly less likely to breast-feed than were women whose pregnancies were planned. After adjustment for confounding variables and contraindications for breast-feeding, the odds ratios of not breast-feeding remained significant. Promoting breast-feeding among women with unintended pregnancies is important to improve health status.