BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Women use their cumulative breastfeeding experiences, in combination with other factors, to make their infant feeding decisions. This pilot study assessed the reliability and predictive validity of the revised Beginning Breastfeeding Survey-Cumulative (BBS-C).
METHODS: 25 women were recruited prenatally from a university hospital. The BBS-C was completed before hospital discharge. Infant feeding outcomes were measured at 1 and 3 months postpartum.
RESULTS: Participants were 17-40 years old, mostly married, Whites, and well-educated. Coefficient alpha was .92-.94. The BBS-C predicted an infant not receiving breast milk, not feeding from the breast, and receiving infant formula feedings.
CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, the BBS-C had strong reliability and predictive validity. Further testing should assess reliability and predictive validity in a wider range of populations and settings.