CGBI faculty are subcontractors on a CDC-funded project that supports the development, implementation and evaluation of a breastfeeding promotion program for low income, predominantly African American, adolescent mothers in collaboration with the YWCA in Guilford County, NC.

While mothers under age 20 have the lowest rates of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding of any socio-demographic group in the United States, there are few breastfeeding promotion interventions for this population.  The purpose of this study is to examine factors related to breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding among teen mothers in North Carolina and to use these data toward the development of an adolescent breastfeeding support program.

Multiple focus groups were carried out to assess issues of related to breastfeeding among adolescents who never breastfed, those who attempted and did not succeed and those who breastfeed for at least a few weeks. Results from the focus groups indicate that perceived barriers with physical discomfort, time constraints and lack of institutional support for breastfeeding appear to serve as key factors for teen mothers not breastfeeding or ceasing breastfeeding early.  These data support the need for the improvement of support systems at the institutional level so that teens can actualize their decision to breastfeed.  This preliminary study provides insight into factors that constrain the achievement of breastfeeding intention of adolescent moms and necessitates further action. The findings are being translated into a curriculum that will be implemented in this YWCA setting.