Breastfeeding and the Role of Maternal Religion: Results From a National Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Recent research on religion and breastfeeding from a low-income, urban sample in the USA found that religious affiliation and religious attendance were associated with breastfeeding initiation.

Purpose: We assessed the relationship between religion (religious affiliation and religious attendance) and breastfeeding (initiation and duration) in a nationally representative prospective cohort study. We examined whether education and other sociodemographic characteristics mediated or moderated relationships.