A comparison of social support variables between women who intend to breast or bottle feed.

Social support has been identified as an important element for encouragement and success of lactation. The sources, types and amounts of perceived social support were determined for women during their third trimester of pregnancy and at four weeks of postpartum breastfeeding. Differences in social support were reported for women who stated an intention to breastfeed and those who planned to bottle feed. The tangible, emotional and informational functions of social support were measured as aggregate values across support sources. Tangible and emotional support were not significantly different between intended breast or bottle feeders. However, informational support was higher for women who intended to breastfeed compared to those who intended to bottle feed. Mean scores were then analyzed for specific individuals who might provide support. The baby's father was a more important source of tangible support for intended breastfeeders. Intended breastfeeders also indicated they received more emotional and informational support from the baby's father and prenatal classes. Tangible, emotional and information support did not change pre- and postnatally for women who breastfed. However, certain sources did provide more support postnatally. Finally, predictors such as level of education, a belief that breastfeeding was better for health and emotional closeness, fewer children, moderate tangible and emotional support and more informational support were identified for women who intended to breastfeed.