The association of formula samples given at hospital discharge with the early duration of breastfeeding.

Conflicting results have been reported regarding the association of formula samples given at hospital discharge with breastfeeding duration. This study investigated the relationship between the distribution of formula samples and breastfeeding duration in low-income Hispanic women. A gift pack of formula was distributed randomly to 88 breastfeeding women. All women received a telephone call at one and three weeks to collect information about infant feeding. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant difference in the proportion of women exclusively breastfeeding at one week. However, fewer women were exclusively breastfeeding in the gift pack group at three weeks (p less than .004). Gift packs given to Hispanic breastfeeding women are associated with a decrease in exclusively breastfeeding during the first three weeks postpartum.