Parenting Self-Efficacy and Infant Feeding Experiences in Lower-Income Mothers Receiving Home Visitation

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between infant feeding and parenting self-efficacy. Mothers (N = 121) receiving home visiting reported on PSE and infant feeding at two times (e.g., longitudinally). Mothers were exclusively formula feeding (46.7%), exclusively breastfeeding (19.8%) or combining breastfeeding and formula (33.1%). Infant feeding was regressed on parenting self-efficacy and relevant demographics using logistic regression. Mothers with higher parenting self-efficacy were more likely to be exclusively formula feeding or combination feeding at Time 1. Continued breastfeeding was not predicted by self-efficacy but rather by working status and earlier supplementation. Results suggest higher parenting self-efficacy associated with formula feeding suggests social reinforcement or feelings of success around the enactment of or choice in infant feeding method. Lower parenting self-efficacy associated with initial breastfeeding suggests unsuccessful enactment (i.e., breastfeeding challenges) or negative social reinforcement. More research is needed to understand infant feeding norms and practices in relationship to parenting self-efficacy to best promote breastfeeding intervention and support maternal mental health. Practitioners should work to extend exclusive breastfeeding through supportive positive reinforcement, while limiting formula supplementation. The importance of parental leave for longer breastfeeding duration should be considered when establishing leave policies.