Breastfeeding and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To critically review research on adolescent infant-feeding decision-making and breastfeeding experiences. DATA SOURCES: Articles published between 1980 and 1999 on breastfeeding, infant feeding, and adolescence were located using CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PsycLit databases. STUDY SELECTION: English language research dealing with the subject was chosen. DATA EXTRACTION: Study findings were categorized: incidence of breastfeeding among adolescent mothers, physiologic aspects of lactation among teens, nonpregnant adolescents' breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes, factors related to infant-feeding decisions, and the adolescent breastfeeding experience. DATA SYNTHESIS: Most studies were descriptive in nature, with only two intervention studies published. Studies indicated that adolescents breastfeed less often than adults; teen mothers' breast milk is comparable to adults'; nonpregnant, pregnant, and delivered teens hold positive and negative attitudes toward breastfeeding that influence decision-making; and the breastfeeding teen has positive and negative experiences, some of which appear unique to her social situations and developmental level.
CONCLUSIONS: There are considerable data on infant-feeding attitudes and decision-making among teens. Intervention research is indicated to improve breastfeeding initiation and duration. Further research is needed on actual infant feeding experiences of teens. Finally, descriptive research to identify health care professionals' beliefs and practices related to teens' choice and maintenance of breastfeeding is needed.