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Table 2 Planned and actual feeding practices and return to work (quantitative data)

From: ‘I decided to go back to work so I can afford to buy her formula’: a longitudinal mixed-methods study to explore how women in informal work balance the competing demands of infant feeding and working to provide for their family

N = 18

Plans during pregnancy

(Pre-delivery interview)

Practice after delivery

(post-delivery interview)

Practice after return to work

(return to work interview)

Infant feeding practices

 Initiated breastfeeding

16

 Exclusive Breastfeeding

12

10

2

 Formula milk only

4

4

8

 Mixed-breastfeeding (breast and formula)

2

4

8

Return to work (age of baby)

 Less than 1 month

4a

1

 1–2 months

10

9

 3–4 months

6

3

 5–6 months

2

4

 Above 6 months

1

  1. aincludes three mothers who had not returned to previous work but did some paid work within2 weeks after delivery of baby