Details:

Alternative Title:
J Midwifery Womens Health
Publisher's site:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12065
Personal Author:
Kozhimannil, Katy Backes ; Attanasio, Laura B. ; Hardeman, Rachel R. ; O’Brien, Michelle
Kozhimannil, Katy Backes ; Attanasio, Laura B. ; Hardeman, Rachel R. ; O’Brien, Michelle Less -
Description:
Introduction

In the United States breastfeeding initiation rates have risen in recent years. However, there are notable disparities by socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity. Previous research has suggested that care from a doula (a trained professional who provides non-medical support during the perinatal period) may increase breastfeeding initiation. The goal of this study was to study whether doula support may be associated with breastfeeding initiation among low-income, diverse women.

Methods

We compared breastfeeding initiation rates (mean values and 95% confidence intervals) for 1,069 women who received doula care from Everyday Miracles, a Minnesota-based organization that employs a diverse group of certified doulas, to a state-based sample of Medicaid-covered women who gave birth in 2009 or 2010 and participated in the Minnesota Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey (weighted n=51,721).

Results

Women who had doula-supported births had near-universal breastfeeding initiation (97.9%), compared with 80.8% of the general Medicaid population. Among African-American women, 92.7% of those with doula support initiated breastfeeding, compared with 70.3% of the general Medicaid population.

Discussion

These results suggest that access to culturally-appropriate doula care may facilitate higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. When supported in their non-medical needs by birth doulas, the diverse, low-income patients of midwives and other maternity care providers may have a greater likelihood of initiating breastfeeding and experiencing the maternal and infant health benefits associated with breastfeeding.


Subject:
[+]
African Americans
Breast Feeding
Culture
Doulas
Female
Humans
Income
Postnatal Care
Poverty

Source:
J Midwifery Womens Health. 58(4):378-382.
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
IU01DP003117-01/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States ; K12 HD055887/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; K12HD055887/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States
IU01DP003117-01/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States ; K12 HD055887/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; K12HD055887/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States Less -
Place as Subject:
Minnesota
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:cfcc7bfcd46ddb06c98eb6d5caa23b1df9cd876af5d750728e20ea85df9fcfd2
File Type:

Supporting Files

• nihms-449086.nxml

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