The Influence of Infants’ Characteristics on Breastfeeding Attitudes among Jordanian Mothers

Ghada Mohammad Abu  Shosha

doi:10.4236/ojn.2015.54032

Ghada Mohammad Abu Shosha

Abstract: Background: Breastfeeding is the desired nutritional method for infants. Some infants’ characteristics were found influential to mothers’ point of views toward breastfeeding. However, the relationship between infants’ characteristics and mothers’ attitudes toward breastfeeding is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess infants’ characteristics and their impact on Jordanian mothers’ attitudes toward breastfeeding. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. A sample of 130 mothers was selected conveniently from mothers attending four major governmental maternal-child health centers at Zarqa city in Jordan. The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale along with infants’ characteristics data sheet were used for data collection. Results: A more positive attitude toward breastfeeding was manifest (mean 63.5, SD: 4.67). Positive attitudes toward breastfeeding were higher among women who delivered normally than women who delivered by cesarean section (p = 0.040). In addition, women who had healthy infants were more likely to have positive attitudes toward breastfeeding compared to women with ill infants (p = 0.021). However, women with preterm deliveries were less likely to have positive attitudes compared to women with full-term deliveries (p = 0.013). Likewise, women whose infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit recorded less positive attitudes toward breastfeeding than women with healthy neonates (p = 0.043). Gestational age, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, infant’s health status, and type of delivery, were factors influencing mothers’ attitudes towards breastfeeding. Conclusions: Jordanian mothers have positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. However, positive attitudes are subject to different infants’ characteristics that should be considered while undertaking heath education programs for promoting breastfeeding. More focusing is recommended for women who delivered preterm infants, women who have ill infants, and women who delivered by cesarean section.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Attitudes, Infants, Jordan

Cite this paper: Shosha, G. (2015) The Influence of Infants’ Characteristics on Breastfeeding Attitudes among Jordanian Mothers. Open Journal of Nursing, 5, 295-302. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2015.54032.

References

[1] UNICEF (2014) Breastfeeding.
http://www.unicef.org/nutrition/index_24824.html

[2] World Health Organization (2013) 10 Facts on Breastfeeding.
http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/breastfeeding/en/

[3] Jordan Department of Statistics (2012) Jordan Population and Family Health Survey, Infant Feeding Practices.

[4] The Quran, the Holy Book of Muslims, Al Baqarah 233.

[5] American Academy of Pediatrics (2005) Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics, 115, 496-506.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2004-2491

[6] Abuidhail, J., Al-Modallal, H., Yousif, R. and Almresi, N. (2013) Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) in Jordan: Prevalence, Duration, Practices, and Barriers. Midwifery, 30, 331-337.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2013.01.005

[7] Al-Akour, N., Khassawneh, M., Khader, Y., Ababneh, A. and Haddad, A. (2010) Factors Affecting Intention to Breastfeed among Syrian and Jordanian Mothers: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. International Breastfeeding Journal, 5, 6.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1746-4358-5-6

[8] Sunna, L. (2012) Child Feeding Patterns and Diarrhea. Bahrain Medical Bulletin, 34, 180-185.

[9] Khassawneh, M., Khader, Y., Amarin, Z. and Alkafajei, A. (2006) Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breastfeeding in the North of Jordan: A Cross Sectional Study. International Breastfeeding Journal, 1, 17.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1746-4358-1-17

[10] Mubaideen, M.M. and Al-Saraireh, R.M. (2006) Breast-Feeding Pattern in Selected Antenatal Care Clinics in Jordan. JRMS, 13, 74-78.

[11] United States Department of Health and Human Services (2010) Healthy People 2020 Topics & Objectives.
http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/LegislationPolicy/FederalPoliciesInitiatives/HealthyPeople2020Breastfeeding
Objectives/tabid/120/Default.aspx

[12] Al-Madani, M., Vydelingum, V. and Lawrence, J. (2010) Saudi Mothers’ Expected Intentions and Attitudes toward Breast-Feeding. ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition, 2, 187-198.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1941406410369699

[13] Sittlington, J., Stewart-Knox, B., Wright, M., Bradbury, I. and Scott, J. (2007) Infant-Feeding Attitude of Expectant Mothers in Northern Ireland. Health Education Research, 22, 561-570.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/her/cyl113

[14] De la Mora, A., Russell, D.W., Dungy, C.I., Losch, M. and Dusdieker, L. (1999) The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale: Analysis of Reliability and Validity. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 29, 2362-2380.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.1999.tb00115.x

[15] Persad, M.D. and Mensinger, J.L. (2008) Maternal Breastfeeding Attitudes: Association with Breastfeeding Intent and Socio-Demographics among Urban Primiparas. Journal of Community Health, 33, 53-60.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10900-007-9068-2

[16] Shaker, I., Scott, J.A. and Reid, M. (2004) Infant Feeding Attitudes of Expectant Parents: Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 45, 260-268.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02887.x

[17] Brown, A. and Lee, M. (2011) An Exploration of the Attitudes and Experiences of Mothers in the United Kingdom Who Chose to Breastfeed Exclusively for 6 Months Postpartum. Breastfeeding Medicine, 6, 197-204.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2010.0097

[18] Al-Sahab, B., Lanes, A., Feldman, M. and Tamim, H. (2010) Prevalence and Predictors of 6-Month Exclusive Breastfeeding among Canadian Women: A National Survey. Pediatrics, 10, 20-29.

[19] Grossman, L.K., Fitzsimmons, S.M., Larsen-Alexander, J.B., Sachs, L. and Harter, C. (1990) The Infant Feeding Decision in Low and Upper Income Women. Clinical Pediatrics, 29, 30-37.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/000992289002900105

[20] Al Ghwass, M. and Ahmed, D. (2011) Prevalence and Predictors of 6-Month Exclusive Breastfeeding in a Rural Area in Egypt. Breastfeeding Medicine, 6, 191-196.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2011.0035

[21] Chye, J.K., Zain, Z., Lim, W.L. and Lim, C.T. (1997) Breastfeeding at 6 Weeks and Predictive Factors. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 43, 287-292.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/tropej/43.5.287

[22] Blyth, R., Creedy, D.K., Dennis, C.-L., Moyle, W., Pratt, J. and De Vries, M. (2002) Effect of Maternal Confidence on Breastfeeding Duration: An Application of Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Theory. Birth, 29, 278-284.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-536X.2002.00202.x

[23] Nichols, J., Schutte, N.S., Brown, R.F., Dennis, C.-S. and Price, I. (2009) The Impact of a Self-Efficacy Intervention on Short-Term Breastfeeding Outcomes. Health Education & Behavior, 36, 250-258.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1090198107303362

[24] Tan, K.L. (2011) Factors Associated With Exclusive Breastfeeding among Infants under Six Months of Age in Peninsular Malaysia. International Breastfeeding Journal, 6, 2.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1746-4358-6-2

[25] Jakobsen, M.S., Sodemann, M., Molbak, K. and Aaby, P. (1996) Reason for Termination of Breastfeeding and the Length of Breastfeeding. International Journal of Epidemiology, 25, 115-121.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/25.1.115

[26] Wojdan-Godek, E., Mikiel-Kostyra, K. and Mazur, J. (2000) Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding of Infants in Poland. Medycyna Wieku Rozwojowego, 4, 15-24. (In Polish)

[27] Taylor, J.S. and Cabral, H.J. (2002) Are Women with an Unintended Pregnancy Less Likely to Breastfeed? The Journal of Family Practice, 51, 431-436.