Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-21-2014

Faculty Sponsor

Jennifer Weaver

Abstract

The advantages of breastfeeding have been clearly outlined by a variety of research studies, and the World Health Organization clearly states that the “appropriate duration for breastfeeding is six months of exclusive breastfeeding and then breastfeeding with supplements until two years” (WHO, 2010). Opinions and attitudes towards the appropriate breastfeeding duration have not been adequately researched, which could have implications as to why mothers are not breastfeeding according to the WHO’s standards. This study focused on age-appropriate attitudes towards infant feeding practices. Three hundred and ninety-one students completed an online survey for their undergraduate psychology 101 class. The first hypothesis proposed that participants who were are parents would display greater comfort with breastfeeding at each time point (9, 12, and 15 months) compared to non-parents, and the data supported this hypothesis. The second hypothesis suggested that participants who had more positive attitudes towards breastfeeding would be more comfortable seeing a baby being breastfed in front of them at when a child was 9, 12 and 15 months. A correlation analysis supported this hypothesis. The third hypothesis predicted a positive correlation between age and comfort with breastfeeding at 9, 12 and 15 months. A correlation analysis showed older students were more comfortable with seeing older infants being breastfed than younger students. The fourth hypothesis proposed that participants who are more comfortable with public displays of breastfeeding would be more positive towards breastfeeding older children. The data supported this hypothesis.

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