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Matern Child Health J (2008) 12:128135

DOI 10.1007/s10995-007-0221-4

Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviors and Training


Needs Related to Infant Feeding, Specifically Breastfeeding,
of Child Care Providers
Alena Clark Jennifer Anderson Elizabeth Adams
Susan Baker

Published online: 8 June 2007


 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007

Abstract regarding breastfeeding, formula feeding and introducing


Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the solid foods. Eighty-six percent of directors and 67% of
knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and training needs of child teachers stated they have Internet access at work. Eighty-
care providers on infant feeding practices, specifically eight percent of directors and 79% of teachers would be
breastfeeding. interested in an infant feeding website.
Methods Needs assessment surveys for child care direc- Conclusions According to the results of the needs
tors and infant room teachers were developed, tested and assessment, child care directors and infant room teachers
mailed to the 277 Colorado child care centers licensed to are in need of current, accessible infant feeding informa-
care for infants ( 12 months); 1,385 surveys were tion. Child care directors and infant room teachers desired
mailed. a website with bilingual and best practice infant feeding
Results A total of 267 surveys were received for an information specific to the needs of child care providers.
overall response rate of 20%. The majority (79%) of infant
room teachers and directors reported low knowledge on Keywords Infant feeding  Child care providers 
ways to adequately store breastmilk and formula. Perceived Needs assessment
attitudes on the advantages and disadvantages of breast-
milk versus formula as well as behaviors associated with
offering working mothers a supportive breastfeeding Introduction
environment (e.g. breast pumps available at center, offer
mothers a place to breastfeed) were also examined. It is well established that breastfeeding and the use of
Directors and infant room teachers desired updated infant breastmilk have been shown to provide health, nutritional,
feeding information for themselves, co-workers and par- immunological, developmental, psychological, social,
ents. They wanted English and Spanish information economic and environmental benefits, which extend to the
infant, mother and community [1]. The United States
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the
A. Clark (&)  J. Anderson  S. Baker
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that
State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1571, USA infants be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months of
e-mail: Alena.Clark@Colostate.Edu life and that breastfeeding continue with appropriate solid
J. Anderson foods for at least the first year [13].
e-mail: anderson@cahs.colostate.edu Even though the benefits are well known, many mothers
S. Baker choose not to breastfeed or cease breastfeeding earlier than
e-mail: sbaker@cahs.colostate.edu recommended. Healthy People 2010 established the goals
that at least 75% of all United States mothers initiate
E. Adams
breastfeeding, at least 50% continue breastfeeding for
Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201,
USA 6 months, and at least 25% of infants remain breastfed
e-mail: adamse@ohsu.edu until one year of age [4]. Many states fall below the rec-

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Matern Child Health J (2008) 12:128135 129

ommendations. Colorado exceeded the national recom- women suffer from inflexible work hours when returning to
mendations of initiating breastfeeding at 83%, yet fell short work and lack breaks to express breastmilk while away
for duration at both 6 months (46%) and one year (21%) from their infants. These factors are especially cumber-
[5]. In 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- some to women in non-professional jobs [1116]. With the
tion assessed whether states were achieving the Healthy decline in breastfeeding often coinciding with mothers re-
People 2010 goals for breastfeeding. Only 14 of the 50 turn to work, it is important to examine where infants are
states met the breastfeeding initiation goal [5]. Colorado being cared for when their parent(s) are working and
ranks eighth for initiation of breastfeeding and thirteenth whether avenues for the promotion of breastfeeding exist in
for breastfeeding duration at 6 months [5]. these settings.
The number of working women in the United States has Child care agencies often support breastfeeding as the
increased. There were 61 million working women in the food of choice for infants. In 1999, the United States
United States in 2001 and nearly three quarters of all Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized reimburse-
mothers in the United States are in the work force [6]. In ment for infant meals that contain only breastmilk to sup-
2000, 65% of mothers with children under the age of six port breastfeeding and its benefits [17]. The American
were in the workforce, up from 47% in 1980 [7]. In 2002, Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends that breastmilk
the fourth most common reason Colorado mothers cited for be offered as the food of choice for infants in child care
ceasing breastfeeding behind not producing enough centers [7]. They also advocate proper storage and handling
milk, did not satisfy baby and baby had difficulty of both breastmilk and formula, parent involvement in
nursing was because they returned to work or school [8]. meal planning and infant feeding training for child care
In 1977, there were less than 25,000 child care centers in providers [7]. The ADA also recommends that training for
the United States. This number grew to 40,000 by 1987 and child care providers be ongoing because of the high turn-
had more than doubled to 117,000 by 2004 [7]. It is esti- over rates of child care center employees. Half of child care
mated that 12 million of the 19 million children in the staff and one-third of child care directors leave their child
United States under the age of five are in some form of care center within four years of being hired [7]. The USDA
child care [7]. It is hard to determine the exact number of booklet, A Guide for Use in Child Nutrition Programs
child care centers due to the constant opening and closing includes a chapter on Feeding the Breastfed Baby. This
of centers, the unknown number of unregulated centers and chapter outlines the important elements of feeding breast-
the fact that some child care centers choose not to share milk to infants at child care centers and includes important
their information in research studies [7]. Children who topics such as ways to support the breastfeeding mother
attend child care at 6 months of age have been shown to be and guidelines on handling, storing, preparing and feeding
significantly less likely to have ever been breastfed or re- breastmilk to infants [18]. Other agencies such as the
main exclusively breastfed at 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
6 months and 12 months (P < .05) [9]. Children (WIC) and the AAP have policy statements that
Visness and colleagues [10] found that the decision to support breastfeeding as the preferred infant feeding
initiate breastfeeding was not associated with maternal method [1, 19].
employment. However, the length of maternity leave was Studies have been conducted to identify types of
positively associated with the duration of breastfeeding accommodation and support worksites/businesses can offer
(P < .05). Among breastfeeding women, returning to paid to provide a more supportive environment to breastfeeding
employment within 12 months of delivery was associated working mothers [2029]. Examples include: offering
with a shorter duration of breastfeeding when other factors breaks to breastfeed/express breastmilk, on-site child care,
were controlled [10]. Noble and colleagues [11] found that lactation specialists and policies/procedures protecting
planning to return to work prior to 6 weeks postpartum breastfeeding mothers from harassment. However, no peer
reduced the likelihood of initiating breastfeeding. Of the reviewed studies have been published regarding the
mothers who planned to work post-partum, 75% initiated knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and training needs of child
breastfeeding as compared with 84% who did not plan to care providers with regard to infant feeding, specifically
work post-partum (v2 = 108, P = .0001). Roe and col- breastfeeding. In 1991, Dirige and colleagues surveyed
leagues [12] found that the number of hours worked neg- 3,000 child care providers in San Diego County in Cali-
atively influenced the level of breastfeeding. Expecting to fornia to determine the nutrition education needs of staff
work full-time significantly decreased the probability of members in relation to providing nutritious meals to the
breastfeeding duration (OR = .47, P < .01). Women are infants and children in their care [30]. Of the 3,000 mailed
often offered relatively short or no maternity leaves and/or surveys, 195 child care providers responded. Seventeen
return to work earlier than anticipated. This may be due to percent of the child care providers were interested in
the occupation type or for economic reasons. Also, many attending breastfeeding training. Ninety-four percent of

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respondents were interested in receiving nutrition related committee of breastfeeding, infant feeding, and child care
information, 46% were interested in attending a half-day experts (n = 14) and members of the target population
nutrition workshop and 23% were interested in attending a (n = 7). Reliability testing was completed with a separate
full day nutrition workshop [30]. This survey was admin- sub-group of child care center directors and infant room
istered to all child care providers, both home-based and teachers. Twenty-two infant room teachers and seven
center-based, and not infant room teachers and directors directors completed the survey 7 days apart. Reliability
specifically, the primary audience of this study. This Dirige testing of the survey was conducted via a testretest format
study was also conducted before the Internet was widely in which all questions scored a correlation level at or above
used. Also, in 1992, the Colorado Department of Public .7. The guidelines used to assess the correct answers for
Health and Environment (CDPHE) Child and Adult Care storage of breastmilk in the refrigerator (48 h) and refrig-
Food Program (CACFP) administered a questionnaire to erator freezer (3 months) are from the CACFP Breastfed
child care centers in Colorado regarding breastfeeding, but Babies are Welcome Here: A Guide for Child Care Pro-
due to time and funding constraints, no data were released viders [32] used by the Colorado CACFP Program for child
or published from this survey [31]. care centers enrolled in their program. Power calculations
were completed based on reliability testing of the needs
assessment; a sample size of 202 surveys was needed to
Objective achieve 90% power to detect significant differences among
respondents.
The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, A list of the 277 child care centers that were licensed to
attitudes, behaviors and training needs of child care pro- provide care to infants was provided by the Colorado
viders on infant feeding, specifically breastfeeding, in child Department of Human Services. An infant was defined as
care centers. Assessment tools further examined: (1) the less than or equal to 12 months of age. Five surveys were
extent to which child care providers felt they were mailed to each child care center. One director survey and
important in supporting breastfeeding working mothers; (2) four infant room teacher surveys were sent to each child
the nature of support they were providing (e.g. offering care center with self-addressed return envelopes. A total of
breastmilk to infants when parents requested, storing 1,385 surveys to the 277 Colorado licensed child care
breastmilk appropriately, having educational materials centers were mailed. The 277 child care centers were all
available); (3) appropriate ways to integrate best practice center-based; no home-based centers were surveyed for this
information; and (4) educational strategies to enable a more research study. A cover letter was sent to the director
supportive infant feeding environment, specifically for explaining the research project. In addition, each survey
breastfeeding. had a cover letter describing the survey and soliciting in-
formed consent to participate in the study. Incentives
(drawing for a $50 gift certificate to a local store) were
Methods offered and postcards were sent to non-responding centers
to increase the response rate. Statistical analysis software
Study approval was received from the Institutional Review (SAS 9.1) was used to conduct frequency distributions and
Board at Colorado State University. Two separate needs chi-square tests [33]. Differences among weighted means
assessment surveys were developed: one for child care of the preferred educational materials were analyzed using
directors and one for infant room teachers. Questions were repeated measures analysis of variance with the Bonferroni
developed using a past survey that the Colorado CACFP post hoc test. Answers to open-ended questions were ana-
developed in 1992; additional questions were added per lyzed by two research experts. The results were then
advisement from a committee of infant feeding experts. compared for theme consensus (triangulation data analysis
The director survey contained 24 questions primarily ask- procedure) [34].
ing about the management of the child care center in
relation to infant feeding (e.g. feeding policies, educational
materials available, enrollment in government food pro- Results
grams). The infant room teacher survey contained 35
questions primarily asking about the process of feeding Response rate and center demographics
infants (including questions on breastfeeding/use of
breastmilk, formula feeding and introducing solid foods) at Ten centers (50 surveys) from the initial 277 centers were
the child care center. Once the survey was developed, eliminated because the child care centers were closed or
content and face validity were tested with an advisory were not caring for infants at the study time. Surveys were

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received from 73 child care centers (27% response rate). A children of their own reported feeding them breastmilk.
total of 201 teacher (19% response rate from 1,068 of the Seventy-three percent of the directors stated their center
surveys mailed to teachers) and 66 child care director (25% had a written policy on infant feeding. Of this group, 69%
response rate from 267 of the surveys mailed to directors) had a written formula feeding policy and 57% had a written
surveys were received with an overall response rate of breastfeeding policy. Whether or not the child care center
20%. The respondents centers were distributed among had a written breastfeeding policy (v2 = 8.41; P = .2097)
rural (28%), other metro (41%) and Denver metro (31%). or formula feeding policy (v2 = 4.30; P = .6361) did not
Centers, on average, were licensed to provide care for 15 depend on what the child care directors had fed their own
infants, but only provided care for a mean of 11 infants at children. Roughly 88% of the directors shared infant
the time of the study. Eighteen percent of the centers were feeding policies with parents. Ninety-two percent of child
accredited by the National Association for the Education of care directors provided a packet of information to pro-
Young Children (NAEYC). The State of Colorado does not spective parents, yet approximately half (43%) of the
accredit or have levels of accreditation for child care packets did not have information on the infant feeding
centers. Forty-seven percent of the centers were enrolled in practices at their centers. Infant feeding educational
CACFP. Ninety-eight percent of the centers allowed staff materials available at the centers to child care providers,
members to breastfeed during their shift, but during breaks staff and parents included information on breastfeeding
only. One hundred percent of the centers accepted infants (70%), formula feeding (70%), introducing solid foods
who were fed breastmilk and the average age of the infants (66%), or no information (27%). Even though a large
when starting child care was 3 months. percent of the centers did have information available to
parents and staff, directors stated in the open-ended ques-
Director survey results tions that the information was out of date (n = 52), they
questioned the credibility of the information (n = 45)
The characteristics of the child care directors surveyed are and they wanted Spanish information (n = 43).
described in Table 1. Directors were uniformly female
(100%) and 62% had worked in child care for greater than Infant room teacher survey results
10 years. Forty-three percent of the 52 directors who had
The characteristics of the infant room teachers surveyed are
described in Table 1. Teachers were uniformly female
Table 1 Characteristics of child care directors and infant room
teachers (100%) and 36% had worked in child care for greater than
10 years. Forty-eight percent of the 143 infant room
Child care directors Infant room teachers
(N = 66) (N = 201) teachers who had children of their own fed them breast-
milk. Fifty percent of the teachers answered like it a lot
Gender when asked how they felt about mothers breastfeeding at
Female 100% (66) 100% (201) their center. There was evidence that the probability of how
Male 0% (0) 0% (0) infant room teachers felt about mothers breastfeeding at
Worked in child care their center depended on what they had fed their own
<1 year 0% (0) 7% (14) children (v2 = 22.72; P = .007). Twenty-one percent of
14 years 5% (3) 23% (46) infant room teachers correctly answered a question on how
510 years 34% (21) 34% (69) long it is safe to store prepared formula in the refrigerator
>10 years 62% (41) 36% (72) and 28% answered correctly for breastmilk. Forty-five
Worked at current center percent answered correctly on how long it is safe to store
<1 year 12% (8) 26% (52) breastmilk in the refrigerator freezer. If child care provid-
14 years 24% (16) 44% (89) ers had been to a training on infant feeding, this influenced
510 years 35% (23) 25% (50) their thoughts on whether or not it was appropriate to thaw
>10 years 29% (19) 5% (10) and warm breastmilk and formula in the microwave
Have children (P = .01). Contrary to the high numbers of incorrect an-
Yes 79% (52) 71% (143) swers on adequate storage and handling, 90% of the
No 21% (14) 29% (58) respondents answered they had received training on how to
Fed children N = 52 N = 143 appropriately store, handle and feed both formula and
Breastmilk 43% (22) 23% (33) breastmilk to infants in their care.
Formula 41% (21) 29% (41) Child care providers perceived attitudes on the advan-
Combination 16% (8) 48% (69) tages and disadvantages of breastmilk and formula are de-
scribed in Table 2. Child care providers listed that their

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Table 2 Child care providers perceived advantages and disadvan- drink for breastfeeding mothers and offering breast pumps
tages of breastmilk versus formula to mothers to use at the center. Ninety-seven percent of
Breastmilk % Formula % teachers stated that mothers were allowed to breastfeed at
(N) (N) their centers and 44% stated their centers had a special
place (usually a rocking chair in the infant room) for
Advantage
mothers to breastfeed, while 31% stated their center had
Better bonding with mother 86% (171) 3% (5)
no place special. Breast pumps were available at 7% of
Better nutritionally 83% (166) 5% (10)
the centers surveyed. No information was provided on the
Diapers not as smelly 29% (58) 15% (30)
type of breast pump available (e.g. hospital grade, single
Helps make infants smarter 34% (68) 2% (4)
user). If a center had a breast pump available, there was a
Infant is easier to care for 22% (43) 31% (61)
higher probability that a private room/space was available
It is easier (in general) 40% (79) 45% (89)
at the center for mothers to breastfeed their infants
Less illness 77% (153) 3% (5)
(v2 = 18.92; P = .0003).
Less risk of diseases in adult life 59% (118) 1% (1) The type of feeding method at child care centers per age
Less risk of obesity 36% (72) 1% (2) group is described in Table 3. At 12 months of age out of a
Less trash 53% (105) 4% (8) total of 684 infants, 28% were fed breastmilk and 68%
More convenient 41% (81) 45% (89) were fed formula at the child care centers. As the age of the
No advantage 2% (4) 28% (56) infants increased, the number of breastfed infants de-
Not embarrassing 11% (22) 28% (55) creased from 65% at 02 months to 16% at 812 months.
Saves family money 85% (170) 2% (3) In the 812 month range, it was noted on surveys that some
Other 2% (4) 7% (14) infants were offered cows milk (e.g. skim milk, 2% milk,
Disadvantage whole milk) (9%).
Do not have a regular feeding 29% (57) 3% (6)
schedule Determined education needs of child care providers
Eat more frequently 42% (83) 3% (6)
Embarrassing 9% (17) 1% (2) Each child care director and infant room teacher was asked
Harder for infants to leave mothers 55% (110) 1% (2) the following open-ended question, What kind of infor-
More diaper changes 18% (35) 6% (4) mation and training would be helpful to you in assisting
No disadvantage 25% (50) 38% (76) parents, staff or yourself with feeding formula or breast-
Not as healthy 1% (1) 47% (94) milk to infants? The majority of child care directors
Uncomfortable for staff 13% (26) 1% (1) (91%) and infant room teachers (89%) answered the above
Other 3% (6) 8% (3) question. The specific topics indicated by the respondents
were categorized into the content areas of breastfeeding/
breastmilk, bottle feeding, or introducing solid foods. De-
number one perceived advantage of breastmilk over for- sired content areas and specific topics for further infor-
mula was better bonding with mother (86%), while their mation are listed in Table 4. Child care providers desired
number one perceived disadvantage of breastmilk over information on the benefits of breastfeeding; truth behind
formula was harder for infants to leave their mothers (55%). breastfeeding myths; storage, preparation and feeding of
The number one perceived advantage of formula over breastmilk; and nutrition needs for breastfeeding mothers.
breastmilk was easier in general (45%), while the number They also desired information to share with parents on how
one perceived disadvantage of formula over breastmilk was
not as healthy (47%). In addition, the perceived appropriate Table 3 Type of feeding at child care center per age group
mean age to stop offering formula and breastmilk to an Age group Received Received Total
infant was 12 months with a range of 621 months for breastmilka formulaa number
formula fed infants and 236 months for breastfed infants.
02 months 65% (22) 35% (12) 34
Eighty-four percent of the infant room teachers felt they
24 months 45% (44) 55% (53) 97
have an important role in supporting parents in their infant
46 months 31% (39) 69% (88) 126
feeding choices. Whether or not child care providers felt
68 months 28% (43) 72% (109) 152
they had an important role did not depend on what they had
8 12 months 16% (42) 74% (201)
fed their own children (v2 = .44; P = .9789).
272
The types of supportive measures child care centers
Total 28% (190) 68% (463) 684
provided working breastfeeding mothers were assessed.
a
Such measures included offering a private space or water to = % (N)

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Table 4 Desired content areas


Content areas Specific topics
and specific topics for further
information Breastfeeding/breastmilk 1. Benefits of breastfeeding
2. Truth behind breastfeeding myths
3. Breastfeeding friendly environment in child care centers
4. Parents guide to breastfeeding and child care centers
5. Storage and preparation of breastmilk for child care providers
6. Breastmilk: how much is enough?
7. Mothers nutrition needs when breastfeeding
Bottle feeding 1. Bottle dos and donts in child care centers
2. Different formulas for different needs
3. Storage and preparation of formula for child care providers
4. Formula: how much is enough?
Introducing solid foods 1. When, what and how much: introducing solid foods and
and other nutrition fluids at child care centers
information 2. Healthy finger foods and snacks at child care centers
3. Im hungrywatching for hunger cues

to prepare breastfed infants to begin child care. Appropriate breastmilk. With the amount of research available on the
bottle feeding methods and information on introducing benefits of breastfeeding, this is an interesting finding.
solid foods were also deemed important to child care Overall, the findings of this study support a need for edu-
providers. Child care providers stated in the open-ended cating child care center directors and infant room teachers.
questions that they desired information on the pros and Directors and teachers desired updated infant feeding
cons of breastfeeding versus formula feeding and infor- information available in both English and Spanish.
mation on the appropriate way to feed infants solid food. Demographic information, the current needs assessment
Eighty-six percent of directors and 67% of teachers stated and a review of literature and existing programs highlight
they have Internet access at work. Eighty-nine percent of the need for an appropriate way to provide accurate edu-
the rural centers had Internet access. Eighty-eight percent cational materials and best practice information to child
of directors and 79% of teachers indicated interest in a care providers on infant feeding, specifically breastfeeding.
website with infant feeding information that was specific to Currently, there is one website that provides information on
child care providers. A website was the most preferred way feeding young children in group settings. The website re-
to receive educational information on infant feeding ceives an average of 21,000 hits and a total of 1,600
(P < .001). Attending a one day conference (54% directors downloads of educational materials per month [35]. While
versus 55% teachers) and self-paced paper lessons (37% this website provides accurate information, its main focus
directors versus 36% teachers) were the second and third is young children, not infants.
most preferred ways to receive educational information. According to the results of this needs assessment survey,
the majority of child care providers would like to have
infant feeding information available to them on a website.
Discussion They also desired not only information regarding breast-
feeding, but information regarding formula feeding and
This was an exploratory study as no known needs assess- introducing solid foods to infants. The true intent of this
ment has been done to assess knowledge, attitudes, study was to determine the needs of child care providers on
behaviors and training needs on infant feeding, specially breastfeeding, but there appears to be a need for informa-
breastfeeding, within a child care setting. Directors (43%) tion on all forms of infant feeding. Simple to read, free
and infant room teachers (48%) reported breastfeeding educational materials were desired by both directors and
their own children less often than the general population teachers on the pros and cons of all feeding methods and
(71%) [5]. The breastfeeding rates of the providers are information on common infant feeding myths (e.g. need to
more comparable to the rates of those women who are put cereal in bottles to elicit sleep or fullness). Information
enrolled in WIC (64%) [5]. Child care providers knowl- on best practices is needed due to the low number of cor-
edge of appropriate ways to prepare and store both rect answers on both preparation and storage of formula
breastmilk and formula was low. Thirty-eight percent of and breastmilk provided by respondents. Also, information
child care providers felt formula had no disadvantage over on appropriate fluids to offer infants throughout the first

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year of life is also warranted due to the number of infants Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser-
who were receiving skim, 2% or whole milk before the age vices, Office on Womens Health.
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People
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mation they could use and share with parents, especially Immunization Survey. Centers for Disease Control. Retrieved on
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ta/data_2005.htm.
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