Influences in the decision to breast‐feed: a study of pregnant women and their feeding intentions

Accumulated evidence shows that breast‐feeding not only is beneficial for normal growth and infant development, but also provides a measure of protection against a number of diseases. Few women are unable to breast‐feed but the UK is noteworthy for having one of the lowest breast‐feeding rates in Europe. This paper reports a survey of 50 pregnant women and analyses factors associated with their stated feeding intentions. Over the years, a number of papers have investigated aspects of decision making but this study offers a snapshot of intention in the late 1990s and pessimistically concludes that any behavioural change is hard won. By the time that the women came into contact with midwives, feeding intentions were clearly established and professional procedures were not able to offer effective intervention.