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Table 4 Recommended shortened forms of IIFAS in different cultures based on the literature and this study

From: Psychometric properties of the original and short Hungarian version of the Iowa infant feeding attitude scale

 

Canadian

Iranian

Spanish

Hungarian (11 items)

Hungarian (9 items)

1.* The nutritional benefits of breast milk last only until the baby is weaned from breast milk.

yes

no

no

no

no

2.* Formula-feeding is more convenient than breastfeeding.

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

3. Breastfeeding increases mother-infant bonding.

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

4.* Breast milk is lacking in iron.

no

no

no

no

no

5. Formula-fed babies are more likely to be overfed than are breastfed babies.

yes

no

no

yes

yes

6.* Formula-feeding is the better choice if a mother plans to work outside the home.

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

7. Mothers who formula-feed miss one of the great joys of motherhood.

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

8. Women should not breastfeed in public places such as restaurants.

yes

no

no

yes

no

9. Babies fed breast milk are healthier than babies who are fed formula.

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

10.* Breastfed babies are more likely to be overfed than formula-fed babies.

yes

no

no

yes

no

11.* Fathers feel left out if a mother breastfeeds.

no

yes

no

no

no

12. Breast milk is the ideal food for babies.

yes

yes

yes

no

no

13. Breast milk is more easily digested than formula.

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

14.* Formula is as healthy for an infant as breast milk.

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

15. Breastfeeding is more convenient than formula-feeding.

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

16. Breast milk is less expensive than formula.

no

yes

no

no

no

17.* A mother who occasionally drinks alcohol should not breastfeed her baby.

no

no

no

no

no

  1. *Items marked with asterisks are reverse-scored to show a positive attitude toward breastfeeding
  2. Only items marked with ‘yes’ are part of the given shortened scale
  3. Items marked with ‘no’ are not part of the given shortened version
  4. Bold: the 8 items of the recommended IIFAS-H8