Teenage mothers as breastfeeders: attitudes and behaviour

Abstract

Surveys have repeatedly shown that teenage mothers are less likely to breastfeed than older mothers. A sample of 55 young mothers and expectant mothers contacted through agencies caring for young mothers revealed that decisions about breastfeeding are sometimes left till late in the pregnancy, and that breastfeeding is often of short duration. Only about half had discussed breastfeeding with a health worker. As with older mothers, the partners and the teenagers' own mothers often influenced their decision, sometimes in a hostile way. Many young mothers had never witnessed breastfeeding at first-hand. These results suggest ways in which breastfeeding could be more successfully promoted among young mothers.