Factors associated with infant feeding intention among usual-risk pregnant women.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with infant feeding intention among usual-risk pregnant women. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in two primary healthcare institutions in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, with usual-risk pregnant women. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling method was used, and 119 pregnant women participated. Data collection took place from May 2022 to February 2023. The data collection process involved using forms and the Infant Feeding Intention Scale. Ethical considerations were strictly adhered to. RESULTS: The study revealed statistically significant differences in the infant's means. The majority of pregnant women (96.6%) declared that they would breastfeed after giving birth. The intention to breastfeed exclusively was statistically higher in mothers with younger children and previous experience of breastfeeding or complications in the current pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This study clarified that the intention to breastfeed up to 6 months is influenced by variables encompassing the age of the youngest child, previous breastfeeding experience, and pregnancy complications, emphasizing the intricate nature of the determinants of intention to breastfeed.