Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Qualitative Study on WIC Program Strategies to Promote Breastfeeding Practices in Puerto Rico: What do Nutritionist/Dietician’s Think?

  • Published:
Maternal and Child Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to better understand Nutritionist-Dietician opinions concerning WIC Program strategies to promote breastfeeding in Puerto Rico. Four groups of nutritionists-dietitians were recruited to take part in focus group discussions. Each focus group lasted for approximately 1 h and the researchers completed a debriefing sheet after each meeting. The group discussions were taped and transcribed. The participants identified hospital barriers, lack of family support and problems related to the mother as the three principal reasons that Puerto Rican mothers do not breastfeed their babies or stop breastfeeding early. An individual meeting was the most frequently mentioned WIC strategy that was meant to convince mothers to breastfeed their infants. Nevertheless, the focus group participants recognized that the effort and time available for such meetings is limited. From these groups, one theme that emerged is that the WIC Program in Puerto Rico should collaborate with hospitals to arrange for WIC-sponsored nutritionist-dietitians to visit the WIC participants during their maternity hospital stay, and in their homes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Parrilla-Rodríguez, A., & Gorrín-Peralta, J. J. (2008). La lactancia materna en Puerto Rico: patrones tradicionales, tendencias nacionales y estrategias para el futuro. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 27(1), 49–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Becerra, J. E., & Smith, J. C. (1990). Breastfeeding patterns in Puerto Rico. American Journal of Public Health, 80(6), 694–697.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Departamento de Salud. (2002). Estudio de Salud Materno Infantil de Puerto Rico (ESMIPR): Datos sobre lactancia.

  4. United States Department of Agricultura [USDA] (n.d.). (2008). Special supplemental nutrition for women, infants, and children [WIC] Program. Retrieved December 13, 2008 from http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Breastfeeding/breastfeedingmainpage.HTM.

  5. Naylor, A. J. (2001). Baby-friendly hospital initiative, protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in the twenty-first century. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 48(2), 475–483. Review.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Phillip, B. L., Merewood, A., Millar, L. W., et al. (2001). Baby friendly hospital initiative improves breastfeeding rates in a US hospital setting. Pediatrics, 108, 766–768.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Pinelli, J., McGovern, M., Edward, M., et al. (2001). Evaluation of breastfeeding protocol. Journal of Human Lactation, 9, 223–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kovach, A. C. (1996). An assessment tool for evaluating hospital breastfeeding policies and practices. Journal of Human Lactation, 12, 41–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Sinusas, K., & Gagliardi, A. (2001). Initial management of breastfeeding. American Family Physician, 64(6), 981–988. Retrieved December 14, 2008 from http://www.aafp.org/afp/200109115/981.htm.

  10. Riva, E., Banderali, G., Agostini, C., et al. (1999). Factors associated with initiation and duration of breastfeeding in Italy. Acta Paediatrica, 88, 411–415.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Scrimshaw, S. C., Engle, P. L., Arnold, L., et al. (1987). Factors affecting breastfeeding among women of Mexican origin or descent in Los Angeles. American Journal of Public Health, 77(4), 467–470.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Baumslag, N., & Michels, D. L. (1995). Milk, money, and madness: the culture and politics of breastfeeding (1st ed.). United States of America: Greenwood Publishing Group Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Dennis, C. L. (2002). Breastfeeding initiation and duration: a 1990–2000 literature review. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 31(1), 12–32. Review.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Hoddinott, P., & Pill, R. (2000). A qualitative study of women’s views about how health professionals communicate about infant feeding. Health Expectations, 3(4), 224–233.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. de Montigny, F., & Lacharité, C. (2004). Fathers’perceptions of the immediate postpartal period. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 33(3), 328–339.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Sullivan, M., Leathers, S., & Kelley, M. (2004). Family characteristics associated with duration of breastfeeding during early infancy among primiparas. Journal of Human Lactation, 20, 196–205.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. (2002). Fathers & Breastfeeding 2002; 6: 325–331.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Pollock, C., Forest, R., & Giarratano, G. (2002). Men of diverse cultures: knowledge and attitudes about breastfeeding. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 31(6), 673–679.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Arora, S., McJunkin, C., Wehrer, J., & Kuhn, P. (2000). Major factor influencing breastfeeding rates: mother’s perception of father’s attitude and milk supply. Pedriatrics, 106, 67–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Bentley, M., Caulfield, L., Gross, S., Bronner, Y., Jensen, J., Kessler, L., et al. (1999). Sources of influence on intention to breastfeed among African-American women at entry to WIC. Journal of Human Lactation, 15, 27–34.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Sharma, M., & Petosa, R. (1997). Impact of expectant fathers in breastfeeding decisions. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 97(11), 1311–1313. Review.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Jordan, P., & Wall, V. (1993). Supporting the father when an infant is breastfed. Journal of Human Lactation, 9, 31–34.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Zimmerman, D. R. (1999). You can make a difference: increasing breastfeeding rates in a Inner-City Clinic. Journal of Human Lactation, 15, 217–220.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Reifsnider, E., & Eckhart, D. (1997). Prenatal breastfeeding education: its effect on breastfeeding among WIC participants. Journal of Human Lactation, 13, 121–125.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Izzat, S. D. (1997). Breastfeeding counseling by health care providers. Journal of Human Lactation, 13, 109–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Couto de Oliveira, M. I., Bastos Camacho, L. A., & Tedstone, A. (2001). Extending breastfeeding duration through primary care: a systematic review of prenatal and postnatal interventions. Journal of Human Lactation, 17, 326–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Grummer-Strawn, L. M., Rice, S. P., Dugas, K., et al. (1997). An evaluation of breastfeeding promotion through peer counseling in Mississippi WIC clinics. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 1(1), 35–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Botello Cabrera, M. T., Marin, H., & Vera, M. (1999). Factores Asociados al inicio, tipo y duración de la lactancia materna entre participantes y no participantes a charla prenatal de educación en lactancia materna de una institución hospitalaria. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 18(3), 241–249.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Mattar, C. N., Chong, Y. S., Chan, Y. S., Chew, A., et al. (2007). Simple antenatal preparation to improve breastfeeding practice: a randomized controlled trial. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 109(1), 73–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Arthur, C. R., Sanz, R. B., & Reploge, W. H. (2003). The employment-related breastfeeding decisions of physician mothers. Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association, 44(12), 383–387.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Saha, P. (2002). Breastfeeding and sexuality. Professional advice literature from the 1970s to the present. Health Education and Behavior, 29(1), 61–72. Review.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Morrison, L., Reza, A., Cardenes, K., et al. (2008). Detarminants of infant feeding choice among young women in Hilo, Hawaii. Health Care for Women International, 29(8), 807–825.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Doctor Miriam Labbok from Department of Maternal & Child Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for reviewed the final draft of this article.

Source of Funding

This study was not funded by any private or public organizations.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Education Program, School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico

    Migdalia Varela Ruiz & Hiram Arroyo

  2. Mother and Child Health Program, School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan, 00936-5067, Puerto Rico

    René R. Dávila Torres

  3. Nutrition Program, School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico

    María Isabel Matos Vera

  4. Epidemiology Program, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Víctor E. Reyes Ortiz

Authors
  1. Migdalia Varela Ruiz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hiram Arroyo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. René R. Dávila Torres
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. María Isabel Matos Vera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Víctor E. Reyes Ortiz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to René R. Dávila Torres.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ruiz, M.V., Arroyo, H., Dávila Torres, R.R. et al. Qualitative Study on WIC Program Strategies to Promote Breastfeeding Practices in Puerto Rico: What do Nutritionist/Dietician’s Think?. Matern Child Health J 15, 520–526 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0592-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0592-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation