Abstract:
The study hypotheses, based on sociobiology, were that
the more committed and positive the parental
relationship, the greater the likelihood of
breastfeeding and of later weaning. Data from the
Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study was used;
sample size was 3635, and over half were African-
2merican. In a logistic regression model, women who were
cohabiting were significantly less likely to initiate
breastfeeding than those who were married but more
likely than those who were in a visiting/friendship
relationship. In a Cox proportional hazards regression
model, women who were cohabiting or in a
visiting/friendship relationship were more likely to
stop breastfeeding earlier than were married women.
Relationship quality was not significant in either
regression model. However, in a sub-sample of only
African-American women, higher relationship quality was
associated with lower odds of breastfeeding initiation.
In a sub-sample of married women, higher relationship
quality was associated with reduced odds for early
breastfeeding cessation.
