Assessing Infant Breastfeeding Beliefs Among Low-Income Mexican Americans

Objective-To understand perceptions, beliefs, and experiences about breastfeeding in Marshallese mothers residing in Northwest Arkansas.Design-A qualitative, exploratory study using a brief survey and focus groups. Marshallese women, 18 years or older who have a child under seven years of age were included in the study. A total of 31 participants were interviewed in five focus groups. In addition, four native Marshallese community health workers who work with Marshallese mothers participated in a sixth focus group. Setting-Community-based organization in Northwest Arkansas.Results-The majority of mothers viewed breast milk as superior to formula, but had concerns about adequate milk supply and the nutritional value of their milk. The primary barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in the United States included public shaming -both verbal and non-verbal, perceived milk production and quality, and maternal employment. Participants report that these barriers are not experienced in the Marshall Islands and are encountered after moving to the United States. Breastfeeding mothers rely heavily on familial support, especially the eldest female, who may not reside in the United States. Institutions, including the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program influence is strong and may negatively affect breastfeeding.Conclusions-Despite the belief that breast milk is the healthiest option, breastfeeding among Marshallese mothers is challenged by numerous barriers they encounter as they assimilate to US cultural norms. The barriers and challenges, along with the strong desire to assimilate to US culture, impact Marshallese mothers' perceptions, beliefs, and experiences with breastfeeding.

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“…The perceived need and reliance on traditional dietary practices to increase milk supply has also been seen among Mexican Americans. 54 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breast-feeding perceptions, beliefs and experiences of Marshallese migrants: an exploratory study

Scott

Shreve

Ayers

et al. 2016

Public Health Nutr.

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“…However, this practice of formula supplementation inhibits breast milk supply (Bunik et al, 2006). Another factor is the belief that breastfeeding in public is inappropriate (Gill, 2009;Gill, Reifsnider, Mann, Villarreal, Tinkle, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Motivational Interviewing to Promote Breastfeeding by Rural Mexican-American Mothers: the Challenge of Attrition

Wilhelm

Aguirre²,

Koehler

et al. 2014

Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing

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Although most Hispanic/Latino-American mothers initiate breastfeeding, duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding remain low. We explored whether a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention could help rural Mexican-American mothers continue breastfeeding. We used a two-group (MI intervention n = 26, attention control [AC] n = 27) repeated measures experimental design. Assessments and interventions occurred at 3 days, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks postpartum (time points when mothers are particularly vulnerable to discontinuing breastfeeding), with a final phone assessment at 6 months postpartum. We collected demographic data and measured intent to breastfeed for 6 months (intent question), self-efficacy (Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form), and collected breastfeeding information (breastfeeding assessment questionnaire). Independent t-tests and Mann Whitney U non-parametric tests were used to evaluate group differences (α = 0.05). High levels of attrition by week 6 impaired our ability to evaluate the potential of our MI intervention. No significant differences were found between groups for any of the outcome variables (intent to breastfeed for 6 months, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and duration of breastfeeding). Though the mothers intended to breastfeed for 6 months and were confident in their ability to do so, most did not breastfeed for 6 months. At 6 months, mothers receiving the MI intervention had breastfed an average of 90 days compared to 82 days for those receiving the AC sessions and 22% of the mothers in each group were still breastfeeding at some level. Because of the impact of attrition during this study, we discuss factors that contributed to attrition and approaches to lessen this problem in future studies. Such efforts may require a greater investment of time and resources and should be budgeted accordingly. Culturally appropriate interventions are needed to help rural Mexican-American mothers meet their breastfeeding goals, thus providing an opportunity to reduce their children's risk of multiple diseases and obesity. Only when we address these considerations will we have an opportunity to decrease health disparities, promote healthy behaviors, and be trusted health care partners.

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“…The women believed it was appropriate to breastfeed around their intimate partners and perhaps other female relatives. Other barriers to breastfeeding concerned nipple pain and inconvenience, in that no one could feed an infant other than the mother (Gill et al, 2004). A similar study was conducted with staff at WIC clinics (clerks, educators, nutritionists) who were WIC providers (92% Hispanic) of the subjects described in the previous study.…”

Section: First Author's Research With Obesity and Low-income Hispanicmentioning

confidence: 95%

Early Infant Feeding Influences and Weight of Children

Reifsnider¹,

Mendias²

2012

Childhood Obesity

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Assessing Infant Breastfeeding Beliefs Among Low-Income Mexican Americans

Cited by 40 publications

References 34 publications

Breast-feeding perceptions, beliefs and experiences of Marshallese migrants: an exploratory study

Breast-feeding perceptions, beliefs and experiences of Marshallese migrants: an exploratory study

Evaluating Motivational Interviewing to Promote Breastfeeding by Rural Mexican-American Mothers: the Challenge of Attrition

Early Infant Feeding Influences and Weight of Children

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