Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Associations Between Variations In Breast Anatomy And Early Breastfeeding Challenges, Alison K. Ventura, Brittany Lore, Olga Mireles

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: Mothers with anatomic variability (e.g., shorter, wider nipples; denser areolas) may experience breastfeeding challenges disproportionately.

Research aim: To examine whether variations in breast anatomy are associated with risk for early breastfeeding challenges.

Methods: Participants included mothers < 6 weeks postpartum. Nipple base width, nipple length, and areolar density were measured on the right and left breast separately. Experiences with early breastfeeding challenges were determined through a combination of maternal report and clinical assessment.

Results: Participants (N = 119) had an average nipple diameter of 23.4 (SD = 3.0) mm for left nipples and 23.5 (SD = 3.0) mm for right nipples (range = 10–34 mm). Average nipple length was 8.5 (SD = 3.2) mm for left breasts and 9.1 (SD = 3.2) mm for right breasts (range = 5–20 mm); 35% of participants had dense areolas …

A Qualitative Study Of Breastfeeding And Formula-Feeding Mothers’ Perceptions Of And Experiences In Wic, Rebeca Almeida, Shawnee Alvarez Gutierrez, Shannon E. Whaley, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objective: To explore Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants’ perspectives about why formula-fed infants are less likely to be recertified at 1 year compared with breastfed infants.

Design: Four focus groups of WIC mothers, stratified by language spoken (English or Spanish) and feeding mode (breastfeeding [BF] or formula-feeding [FF]).

Setting: Two WIC sites within Los Angeles County, CA.

Participants: Mothers of 6- to 12-month-old infants (n = 31) in the WIC program.

Phenomenon of Interest: Mothers’ perceptions of (1) how WIC supports BF and FF mothers; and (2) experiences of FF mothers in WIC, with …