Individual and Job-Related Variation in Infant Feeding Practices among Working Mothers

Objective: To document working mothers' infant feeding practices and delineate factors that may shape infant feeding. Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from a community sample of working women with 8-month-old infants (n=199). Results: Nearly all working mothers used commercially prepared foods like infant cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Approximately one-fifth fed infants french fries, sweetened beverages, and sweetened desserts. Unhealthy infant feeding was elevated among unmarried mothers, those with less education, and those with a nonstandard work schedule. Conclusions: Working mothers use commercially prepared foods for infant feeding. Socially disadvantaged working mothers' infant feeding may pose health and developmental risks.