Breastfeeding Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Breastfeeding, including details on breast feeding benefits, problems, alcohol, diet.

The association between an electric pump loan program and the timing of requests for formula by working mothers in WIC.

Meehan K, Harrison GG, Afifi AA, Nickel N, Jenks E, Ramirez A

Public Health Foundation Enterprises WIC Program, Irwindale, California 91706, USA. karen@phfewic.org

An electric pump loan program designed to facilitate breastfeeding for low-income mothers returning to full-time work was evaluated. All mothers were WIC participants in the Los Angeles area. Electric pump loans were made until the infant's first birthday or until the mother requested formula from WIC. Information was provided to employers on supporting breastfeeding in the workplace. A subsample of mothers who received an electric pump on return to full-time work was compared with counterparts in a wait list control group. Mothers who received an electric pump as soon as requested did not request formula until 8.8 months on average, whereas those who did not receive an electric pump requested formula on average at 4.8 months (P < .0001). Mothers who received an electric pump when requested were 5.5 (95% CI 2.0-15.1) times as likely as mothers who did not receive an electric pump to not request formula at 6 months.

Published 25 April 2008 in J Hum Lact, 24(2): 150-8.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Breastfeeding Research Today. All Rights Reserved.