Abstract 621

We conducted a survey of mothers delivering at a university hospital to determine if maternal attitudes beliefs, and personality differed by infant feeding choice. 225 mothers in the first 4 days postpartum during 2 periods (June-August 1996 and June-August 1997) were enrolled; 17 mothers declined participation. Women were classified as breastfeeding initiators (BF) or formula-feeders (FF). A structured interview was conducted to ascertain maternal choice and attitudes about infant feeding methods. After the interview, the mother completed a 264-question revised NEO Personality Inventory. BF women in this cohort were older, more educated, of higher socioeconomic status, and married. Of those ≥35 years of age, 81% chose to BF vs. 33% in the <20-year-old group. Insurance was significant: 82% of private insurance mothers chose to BF vs. 38% of Medicaid patients (p<0.001). Race was associated with feeding choice: 34% African-American vs. 69% Caucasian mothers BF. There was a higher frequency of BF among mothers delivering <34 weeks gestation infants (76%) vs. ≥34 weeks (32%; p<0.001). Of women with planned pregnancy, 62% BF vs. 34% not planned (p<0.001). Of those women who were themselves BF, 74% BF vs 40% who chose to BF when they were not BF (p<0.03). A similar relationship was found if father had been breastfed (70% vs. 43%). Of the 39% of fathers who preferred BF, 86% of mothers initiated BF. Of the 61% of fathers who preferred FF, only 2% of mothers BF (p<0.001). While 80% of the cohort agreed that BF was healthier than FF, 60% of those respondents chose to BF. Of the 20% who disagreed with the statement, 2% chose to BF (p<0.001). BF were more likely than the FF mothers to view BF as easier and not requiring more effort. Of those who returned the NEO (n=73; 43 BF and 30 FF), there were several group differences: Women who chose to initiate BF scored statistically higher on 4/5 domains: extraversion (facet scales warmth, activity, positive emotions), openness (scales aesthetics, feelings, action), agreeableness (scale trust, altruism) and conscientiousness (competence scale). In contrast, mothers who had chosen FF scored higher on the angry hostility scale of the Neuroticism domain. The independent effect of socioeconomic status and personality on BF were determined by logistic regression. Compared to unskilled workers, professional mothers were 5.1X's as likely to BF (1.1-23.4; p=0.04). Compared to those with NEO scores below the population mean, extraversion and openness remained the only 2 dimensions significantly associated with BF. In conclusion, maternal beliefs, attitudes and personality profiles of breastfeeding mothers differed from formula-feeding mothers.