(P18-030-23) Perceptions and Practices of Early Infant Feeding Among Native Hawaiian Mothers

Objectives: This study assessed maternal perceptions and practices of early infant feeding in Native Hawaiian mothers.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study of 101 Native Hawaiian mother–infant pairs, the perceptions and practices of breastfeeding and complementary infant feeding were measured from the third trimester of pregnancy to 1 month postpartum. This study is part of a larger mixed-methods study of the first year of life titled Exploring Dietary Diversity of Native Hawaiian Infants.

Data on demographics, household information, birth outcomes, and early infant feeding was reported by participants using online questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was performed using SPSS to assess perceptions related to early infant feeding and the initiation of feeding human milk.

Results: Two thirds (n=68, 67%) of mothers reported the first food a newborn should receive is human milk, and 14% (n=15) reported either human milk or infant formula. 85% (n=86) of mothers reported knowing they would breastfeed and 10% (n=10) reported they might. Of the 85 mothers who initiated breastfeeding, nearly all mothers (n=80, 94%) reported attempting to breastfeed in the hospital or birth center, and of those, 79% (n=63) of mothers initiated breastfeeding within the first 2 hours after birth.

However, only half of mothers reported that infants should be exclusively fed human milk until 6 months of age or older (n=54, 53%), and begin complementary feeding at 6 months of age (n=57,56%). About one quarter of mothers were unsure when to feed anything other than human milk or begin complementary feeding (n=27 [27%] and n=23 [23%], respectively).

Conclusions: National guidelines encourage infants to be exclusively fed human milk for about the first 6 months of life and begin introducing complementary foods at about 6 months. Although reported perceptions and initiation rates of breastfeeding were high, the large proportion of mothers unsure of infant feeding recommendations beyond initiation requires further research to explore potential determinants that could inform educational interventions.

Further investigation is needed to address health inequities within this underserved population surrounding critical feeding milestones known to affect long term health, and inform infant feeding recommendations and interventions in Native Hawaiians.

Funding Sources: NIMHD & USDA Hatch