This document discusses strategies to increase breastfeeding rates among Latina mothers for at least 6 months to improve health outcomes. It notes that while 74% of Mexican American infants are breastfed initially, only about 40% are still breastfeeding at 6 months. The document proposes getting mothers to visit a lactation consultant monthly or join a support group, predicting this could get 50% of women to breastfeed for 6 months in 50% of cases.

1. Breastfeeding as a Tool to
Reduce Health Disparities
SaveBabies.org
Cristina Leos (cristina.leos1@gmail.com)
Stanford University

2. I am specifically interested in getting
Latina mothers to breastfeed for at
least 6 months.
This is just one behavior which can
positively impact health during early
development.

3. So in thinking on how to design solutions
for these women, I wanted to know….
How many women
breastfeed already?

4. Breastfeeding Trends by Ethnicity
and Income: 1999-2006

5. 74% of Mexican American infants have
been breastfed, and unlike other ethnic
groups, the rate is the same across
socioeconomic status.
Why does this matter?

6. This tells me…
1. most Latina women are familiar with the
practice of breastfeeding, and
2. even women with low socioeconomic
status are willing to try breastfeeding at
least once

7. Why does socioeconomic
status matter?

8. Education and income are closely linked to health.
Generally, those with little education and/or low
socioeconomic status (SES) experience worse health
outcomes than those of higher SES.
EDUCATION
$$$
HEALTH

9. Breastfeeding is particularly important for Latina
women with low socioeconomic status because
this group is at such a huge health disadvantage
already.
This group can gain the most from the health
benefits breastfeeding provides to babies.

10. Benefits of breastfeeding include:
ParentingClan PCM Lifestyle
Stronger immune Reduced risk for
systems** childhood obesity***
Improved cognitive
development*
PreSchools4All
*Anderson, Johnstone, & Remley (1999) **Jackson, Andrea, & Nazar (2006) ***Arenz, et.al. (2004)

11. And the health benefits increase the
longer we can get women to
breastfeed, this is why I am interested in
getting women to breastfeed for 6 months.
This one behavior can impact Latino
health and reduce health disparities.

12. So I want to know…
How many women
breastfeed for at least 6 months?

13. Breastfeeding at 6 Months
Only ~40% of Mexican
American infants are still
breastfed at 6 months

14. 30% of Latina women have
breastfed at some point, but have
stopped breastfeeding before the
6 month mark.
I am interested in designing solutions
to get these women to continue
breastfeeding.

15. Past trials suggest…
Mobile Apps Newsletters Videos
Babble
Breastfeed.com Teradek
…work well for women who are new to
breastfeeding or otherwise promotes
breastfeeding over the short-term.

16. But in order to get mothers to breastfeed for
at least 6 months, I propose 2 options:
Getting women to visit a Getting women to join a
lactation consultant once a support group
month for 6 months

17. Few people realize the importance of social support
when mothers attempt to breastfeed.
I predict that visiting a lactation consultant or
joining a support group will get 50% of women to
breastfeed for at least 6 months in 50% of the
cases.

18. Thank you!
For more information or to give
feedback:
Email me
(cristina.leos1@gmail.com)
or Follow me on Twitter
(@consider_change)