Understanding breastfeeding practices in Tennessee: goals, duration, and reasons for discontinuation

Introduction: Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal source of infant nutrition, offering many health benefits. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine goals, exclusivity, and duration of breastfeeding and explore factors that influence breastfeeding practices among individuals in Tennessee (TN). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals (N = 1,249). Participants were recruited and data were collected from June - September 2021. The data were entered and analyzed from September 2022 - March 2023. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and ANOVA were used to analyze the data and identify associations between variables. Results: < 0.001). Implications: Enhanced education and support from healthcare providers, along with efforts to normalize breastfeeding in public, are essential to improve breastfeeding outcomes and support individuals in achieving their breastfeeding goals.