Work

Promoting Responsive Bottle-Feeding Within WIC: Evaluation of a Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Approach

Year: 2021

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Bottle-fed infants are at greater risk for overfeeding and rapid weight gain (RWG); evidence-based strategies for promoting healthy bottle-feeding practices are needed. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess whether policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies for promoting responsive bottle-feeding practices within the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) were associated with lower risk for RWG. DESIGN: We conducted a matched-pair cluster randomized trial. PSE strategies were implemented at 3 WIC clinics in Los Angeles County. PSE clinics were compared with 3 matched control clinics. Mothers and infants were assessed when infants were newborn and 3 months and 6 months of age. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Participants were mothers (n = 246) who enrolled their newborn infants (younger than 60 days) into WIC between May and August 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Infant weight was assessed and standardized to sex- and age-specific z scores. RWG was defined as weight-for-age z score change > 0.67. Mothers completed questionnaires assessing responsive and pressuring feeding styles, breast- and bottle-feeding patterns, and perceptions of WIC experiences. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Logistic regression with estimation via generalized estimating equations and linear mixed models with repeated measures assessed effects of PSE strategies on categorical and continuous outcomes, respectively. RESULTS: Infants in PSE clinics had significantly lower likelihood of exhibiting RWG (P = .014) than infants in control clinics. Mothers in PSE and control clinics reported similar levels of responsive and pressuring feeding style and similar prevalence of breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. Mothers in PSE clinics trended toward feeling better supported with respect to their decision to bottle-feed (P = .098) and had more stable intentions to stay in the WIC program (P = .002) compared with mothers in control clinics. CONCLUSIONS: PSE strategies focused on promoting more inclusive assessment of infant feeding, tailored bottle-feeding counseling, and increased education and support for responsive bottle-feeding were associated with lower risk for RWG among WIC infants.

Source: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2021.05.003

Authors: Alison K. Ventura, Karina Silva Garcia, Martha Meza, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Catherine E. Martinez, Shannon E. Whaley

Institutions: California Polytechnic State University, Public Health Foundation Enterprises

Language: English

Topic: Breastfeeding Practices and Influences

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,300