Beliefs about the Benefits of Breastfeeding: Formation and Effects on Breastfeeding Intention and Persistence

Abstract

Using data from the Infant Feeding Practices Survey (IFPS) II, we investigate whether women’s beliefs about the benefits of breastfeeding significantly affect breastfeeding intention and breastfeeding persistence. We uncover factors that affect women’s beliefs about the benefits of breastfeeding. Our model allows for the endogenous belief formation and could be extended to study a wide range of situations, including beliefs about the benefits of exercise, organic versus conventional food consumption and so on. We find that beliefs have a highly statistically significant effect on breastfeeding intention and the likelihood of breastfeeding at the third and sixth month, which suggests the potential usefulness of educational campaigns aimed at raising breastfeeding awareness. Beliefs are indeed endogenous in the model of breastfeeding intention but not of breastfeeding persistence. JEL: D13, I10, I18, J13