Motivational Interviewing to Promote Sustained Breastfeeding

The incidence of asthma, the most common serious chronic inflammatory disease among children, is rising each year. Therefore nursing interventions aimed at promoting infant immunity and mitigating factors to which the infant may be exposed may reduce the complications of this chronic illness. Breastfeeding is an ideal initial prevention strategy that strengthens the infant's immune system. In addition, the identification of biomarkers that reflect infant immune response sets the stage for the evaluation of nursing interventions targeted to decrease the impact of this chronic inflammatory disease. Although more mothers currently initiate breastfeeding, they do not sustain breastfeeding for the recommended 6 to 12 months. In general, Native American mothers' breastfeed for a shorter period of time and mothers in rural setting have fewer resources to support breastfeeding.

Inclusion criteria

• Inclusion criteria for mothers include ≥ 19 years of age and enrolled in Northern Plains Healthy Start program.
• Inclusion criteria for infants are birth weight of > 2500 gms, > 37 weeks gestation, a bilirubin of 15 mg%, and no NICU admission to provide a sample of stable infants.

Exclusion criteria

• Mothers who report that they will not breastfeed will be excluded.
• Infants with a birth weight < 2500 gms, are < 37 weeks gestation, or diagnosed with any significant health problems, significant postnatal problems requiring NICU admission, symptoms of drug withdrawal, or a bilirubin > 15 mg% will be not be recruited for the study.