Enrollment and use of a peer counselor mHealth texting program to support breastfeeding in low-income people: A pilot study in the District of Columbia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of postpartum people who did and did not enroll in a breastfeeding peer-counselor mobile health (mHealth) texting program as well as the issues raised through 2-way texting with peer counselors. DESIGN: Pilot intervention study involving two Special Supplemental Nutrition Programs for Women Infants and Children (WIC) sites in the District of Columbia over 1 year. SAMPLE: WIC recipients. MEASUREMENTS: Descriptive statistics, comparison of recipients who enrolled or not and qualitative content analysis of text messages. INTERVENTION: A breastfeeding peer counselor texting program entitled BfedDC involving routine 1-way programmed messages and 2-way texting capacity for recipients to engage with peer counselors. RESULTS: Among our sample (n = 1642), nearly 90% initiated breastfeeding. A total of 18.5% (n = 304) enrolled in the BfedDC texting program, of whom 19.7% (n = 60) utilized the 2-way texting feature. Message content covered seven content themes and included inquiries about expressing human milk, breastfeeding difficulties, breastfeeding frequency and duration, appointments and more. CONCLUSIONS: Although enrollment was relatively low in BfedDC, benefits included 1-way supportive texts for breastfeeding and the ability to 2-way text with peer counselors. This program aligns with the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding and promotes breastfeeding equity in low-income people.

Disparities in Breastfeeding Initiation Among African American and Black Immigrant WIC Recipients in the District of Columbia, 2007-2019.

Objectives. To estimate differences in breastfeeding initiation (BFI) rates between African Americans and Black immigrants enrolled in the District of Columbia Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) between 2007 and 2019. Methods. We used data collected as part of routine WIC program activities for first-time mothers (n = 38 142). Using multivariable logistic regression models, we identified determinants of BFI for African Americans, Black immigrants, non-Hispanic Whites, and Hispanics. To assess the trend in BFI over time, we calculated the average of the annual percentage changes. Results. Compared with African Americans, Black immigrants had a 2.7-fold higher prevalence and Hispanics had a 5.8-fold higher prevalence of BFI. The average of the annual percentage changes was 0.85 for Hispanics, 3.44 for Black immigrants, 4.40 for Non-Hispanic Whites, and 4.40 for African Americans. African Americans had the only statistically significant change (P < .05). Disparities in BFI persisted over the study period, with African Americans demonstrating the lowest rates each year. Conclusions. Significant differences exist in BFI between Black immigrants and African Americans. Combining African Americans and Black immigrants masks important differences, overestimates rates among African Americans, and may lead to missed opportunities for targeting interventions and policies to improve breastfeeding. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(4):671-674. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306652).

Smoking and Race Associated with Decreased Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration Among a Low Income Population.

Objectives: To assess associations between smoking behaviors during pregnancy and postpartum and breastfeeding initiation and duration, among DC Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) recipients, the majority of whom are non-White, controlling for sociodemographic factors, low birth weight (LBW), and delivery in a Baby-Friendly hospital (BFH). Materials and Methods: A series of ordinary least squares and logistic regressions estimated the association between smoking during pregnancy and postpartum on breastfeeding initiation and duration, respectively. A multilevel modeling approach accounted for WIC site effects. Results: Overall, 8.8% of DC WIC recipients smoked during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy and postpartum was negatively associated with breastfeeding initiation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36, 0.61) and duration (adjusted coefficient [B] = -37.96, 95% CI: -62.92, -13.00) in adjusted models, respectively. Maternal age, race, marital status, LBW, and delivery in a BFH were also significantly associated with initiation, while age, race, and marital status were significantly associated with duration. Likewise, the number of cigarettes smoked per day was negatively associated with initiation (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.87) and duration (B = -8.98, 95% CI: -15.55, -2.41) in adjusted models. Conclusions: Both smoking and number of cigarettes smoked during pregnancy and postpartum are significant factors associated with less breastfeeding in the DC WIC population. Furthermore, smoking cessation during pregnancy shows initial promise to increase breastfeeding initiation. Future research is needed to better understand the role of smoking, relapse, and cessation interventions on breastfeeding rates among low-income, predominantly minority populations.

Determinants of Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration Among African American DC WIC Recipients: Perspectives of Recent Mothers.

BACKGROUND: In Washington, DC, African American women receiving the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits have the lowest breastfeeding rates compared with other WIC-eligible populations. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to use the social cognitive theory and elements of social support as a guiding framework to better understand the factors affecting breastfeeding initiation and duration among African American WIC recipients in low-income areas of Washington, DC. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 women receiving WIC services in DC to learn about their infant feeding practices and decisions. Using a pragmatic approach, an integrated inductive and deductive coding strategy was used. RESULTS: Breastfeeding experiences were influenced by barriers at multiple levels: community (i.e., perceptions of breastfeeding in one's network), interpersonal (i.e., few supportive providers), and individual constraints (i.e., pain, supply, and latching issues) as well as environmental difficulties of finding resources to help overcome these challenges. Social support from a close family member, friend, or partner often helped to minimize many of these barriers and facilitated breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: Social support seems to bolster efficacy and help women to overcome various barriers to breastfeeding in their immediate environment; however, social support from providers was limited. WIC offers recipients in DC many helpful breastfeeding resources. Although several respondents were aware of these resources, overall use in the sample was low. Continued outreach may help further facilitate breastfeeding in African American mothers by providing additional sources of social support.