Table 2 Rural Infant Feeding Study (RIFS) participants’ infant feeding attitudes using the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitudes Scale (IIFAS) (n = 427)
Item | Disagreea | Neutral | Agreeb | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(%) | n | (%) | n | (%) | n | |
1. The nutritional benefits of breast milk last only until the baby is weaned from breast milk | 71.6 | 300 | 17.7 | 74 | 10.7 | 45 |
2. Formula-feeding is more convenient than breast-feeding | 72.4 | 305 | 17.3 | 73 | 10.2 | 43 |
3. Breast-feeding increases mother-infant bonding | 5.8 | 25 | 32.3 | 35 | 85.9 | 367 |
4. Breast milk is lacking in iron | 62.3 | 266 | 30.9 | 132 | 5.2 | 22 |
5. Formula-fed babies are more likely to be overfed than breast-fed babies | 26.9 | 115 | 41.7 | 178 | 31.4 | 134 |
6. Formula-feeding is the better choice if the mother works outside the home | 50.8 | 217 | 33.5 | 143 | 15.7 | 67 |
7. Mothers who formula-feed miss one of the great joys of motherhood | 33.2 | 142 | 24.6 | 105 | 42.2 | 180 |
8. Women should not breast-feed in public places such as restaurants | 89.9 | 384 | 6.6 | 28 | 3.5 | 15 |
9. Babies who are fed breast milk are healthier than babies who are fed formula | 25.3 | 108 | 31.6 | 135 | 43.1 | 184 |
10. Breast-fed babies are more likely to be overfed than formula-fed babies | 64.9 | 277 | 31.8 | 136 | 3.3 | 14 |
11. Fathers feel left out if a mother breast-feeds | 67.0 | 286 | 22.7 | 97 | 10.3 | 44 |
12. Breast milk is the ideal food for babies | 4.4 | 19 | 8.0 | 34 | 87.6 | 374 |
13. Breast milk is more easily digested than formula | 4.9 | 21 | 22.2 | 95 | 72.8 | 311 |
14. Formula is as healthy for an infant as breast milk | 44.5 | 190 | 40.0 | 171 | 15.7 | 66 |
15. Breast-feeding is more convenient than formula-feeding | 9.8 | 42 | 17.8 | 76 | 72.4 | 309 |
16. Breast milk is less expensive than formula | 3.0 | 13 | 2.8 | 12 | 94.1 | 402 |
17. A mother who occasionally drinks alcohol should not breast-feed her baby | 46.1 | 197 | 29.7 | 127 | 24.1 | 103 |