Citation

Schwarz DF, O'Sullivan AL. Am. J. Lifestyle Med. 2007; 1(6): 482-489.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1559827607306430.

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Adolescent births have declined substantially in the past 15 years, especially with the increase in use of e fective contraception by young women. Longitudinal data have shown that previously identified disadvantages of early parenting for young women, particularly those from communities with high rates of poverty, may not be substantial. There are indications that higher order births carry a much greater burden than do first births to females younger than 20 years. For those interested in minimizing the burden for these young women, interventions to prevent second births are important. Studies have looked at how best to provide care to these women and infants and how to reduce rates of higher order births. These programs provide ideas on factors that can help identify those at greatest risk for second births and give models for working with young mothers to maximize career and life chances. Particular attention should be paid to contraception use, infant stimulation, school and work participation, postpartum depression, and breastfeeding when working with adolescent mothers.