Explaining infant feeding: The role of previous personal and vicarious experience on attitudes, subjective norms, self‐efficacy, and breastfeeding outcomes

OBJECTIVES: Breastfeeding confers important health benefits to both infants and their mothers, but rates are low in the United Kingdom and other developed countries despite widespread promotion. This study examined the relationships between personal and vicarious experience of infant feeding, self‐efficacy, the theory of planned behaviour variables of attitudes and subjective norm, and the likelihood of breastfeeding at 6–8 weeks post‐natally. DESIGN: A prospective questionnaire study of both first‐time mothers (n = 77) and experienced breastfeeders (n = 72) recruited at an antenatal clinic in South East England. METHODS: Participants completed a questionnaire at 32 weeks pregnant assessing personal and vicarious experience of infant feeding (breastfeeding, formula‐feeding, and maternal grandmother’s experience of breastfeeding), perceived control, self‐efficacy, intentions, attitudes (to breastfeeding and formula‐feeding), and subjective norm. Infant feeding behaviour was recorded at 6–8 weeks post‐natally. Multiple linear regression modelled the influence of vicarious experience on attitudes, subjective norm, and self‐efficacy (but not perceived control) and modelled the influence of attitude, subjective norm, self‐efficacy, and past experience on intentions to breastfeed. Logistic regression modelled the likelihood of breastfeeding at 6–8 weeks. RESULTS: Previous experience (particularly personal experience of breastfeeding) explained a significant amount of variance in attitudes, subjective norm, and self‐efficacy. Intentions to breastfeed were predicted by subjective norm and attitude to formula‐feeding and, in experienced mothers, self‐efficacy. Breastfeeding at 6 weeks was predicted by intentions and vicarious experience of formula‐feeding. CONCLUSION: Vicarious experience, particularly of formula‐feeding, has been shown to influence the behaviour of first‐time and experienced mothers both directly and indirectly via attitudes and subjective norm. Interventions that reduce exposure to formula‐feeding (perhaps by limiting advertising) or cushion mothers from its effects may enable more mothers to meet their breastfeeding goals. STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTION: What is already known on this subject? Rates of breastfeeding in the United Kingdom are low and resistant to change. Self‐efficacy may be an important and modifiable factor for breastfeeding initiation and maintenance. What does this study add? Self‐efficacy may only be a relevant factor among mothers who already have personal experience of breastfeeding. Vicarious experience of formula‐feeding has been shown to be related to a lower rate of breastfeeding at 6 weeks.