Determinants of the Intention to Pump Breast Milk on a University Campus

• Published in: Journal of midwifery & women's health Vol. 61; no. 5; pp. 563 - 570
• Main Authors: Bai, Yeon K., Dinour, Lauren M., Pope, Gina A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Attitudes; Baby foods; Breastfeeding; Breastfeeding & lactation; College campuses; College students; Discomfort; Employees; Higher education; Labor force; Labour force; lactation; Milk; Mothers; Nursing; Perceived control; Planned behaviour; Planned behaviour theory; Polls & surveys; pumping breast milk; Regression analysis; Surveys; Theory of Planned Behavior; Undergraduate students; Women; working women; Young mothers; pumping breast milk; breastfeeding; Theory of Planned Behavior; lactation; working women
• ISSN: 1526-9523; 1542-2011
• DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.12488

Introduction The number of young mothers in the workforce and in schools of higher education has steadily increased. In order to maintain a breastfeeding relationship with their children, these mothers need to pump or express breast milk multiple times a day while at work or school. This study examines the factors associated with the intention to pump breast milk at one university campus. Methods Between January and February 2015, an online survey invitation was sent out to all female employees and students at one university. The survey, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, assessed intentions to pump breast milk on campus. The intention to pump breast milk was examined between employees and students separately. Within these 2 groups, behavioral performers (women who pump or have pumped breast milk while on campus) were compared to nonperformers. Using multiple regression analysis, the most influential predictors of the intention to pump (ie, attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and underlying beliefs) were identified. Results A total of 218 women participated in the study (62 employees and 156 students, a 71.7% survey completion rate). Among university employees, the most influential factor that predicted pumping intention among performers was attitude toward pumping (β = 0.36, P = .03). Among student performers, the most influential factor to predict pumping intention was the subjective norm (β = 0.31, P = .02). For student nonperformers, perceived behavioral control (β = 0.54, P < .001) was the most influential factor. Important determinants of the intention to pump on campus included relieving discomfort from engorgement, availability of milk storage, experiencing other people's approval of pumping breast milk, and the inconvenience of carrying pump equipment. Discussion Continued efforts are needed to create a supportive culture for breastfeeding in the campus community as well as to provide pump loan and milk storage options for both employee and student mothers.