Cultural Factors and Social Support Related to Breastfeeding Among Immigrant Mothers in Taipei City, Taiwan

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to identify cultural factors (including acculturation and breastfeeding cultures in subjects' native countries and those in mainstream Taiwanese society) and social support related to breastfeeding among immigrant mothers in Taiwan. This study was a cross-sectional survey performed from October 2007 through January 2008. The study participants were 210 immigrant mothers living in Taipei City. The prevalence of exclusive and partial breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum was 59.0% and 14.3%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that breastfeeding experience among mothers-in-law and the perceived level of acceptance of breastfeeding in Taiwan were positively associated with breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum. Immigrant women with a higher level of household activity support were less likely to breastfeed. Immigrant mothers in Taiwan usually come from cultures with a higher acceptance level for breastfeeding; however, their breastfeeding practices are more likely to be influenced by the mainstream culture in Taiwan.

The influence of grandmothers on breastfeeding rates: a systematic review

“…The studies were conducted in a range of countries, which included both low and high-income countries. Of these, there were eight cross-sectional surveys [23–29], four prospective cohort studies [4, 30–32] and one randomised controlled trial [33]. Studies included a range of time points of exclusive breastfeeding from one week to six months.…”

“…Studies included a range of time points of exclusive breastfeeding from one week to six months. Of the thirteen studies, eight assessed the impact the grandmother has on breastfeeding rates and duration due to her attitude to or experience of breastfeeding [23–26, 28–31]. Two studies assessed the impact on breastfeeding rates and duration when the grandmother was the main childcare taker [27, 32].…”

“…Of the 13 studies examined in this review, eight examined the effects of attitudes or experiences of grandmothers with respect to breastfeeding [23–29, 31]. A majority of these (five of eight) found that there was a significant positive impact on breastfeeding when grandmothers of the infants had had their own breastfeeding experience or were positively inclined towards breastfeeding, resulting in effects of between 1.6 to 12.4 times more likely to exclusively breastfeed or refrain from introducing solid foods (Fig.…”

Developmental status and home environment among children born to immigrant women married to Taiwanese men

“…On average, children of married immigrant women in Taiwan not only have lower parental educational and income levels, but also older fathers and greater age differences between parents, and they are more likely to live with extended family members than children of native mothers (T. L. Chen et al, 2011;Liang, Chen, Lee, Lung, & Lin, 2010;Social Affairs, 2007). Immigrant mothers usually assume primary responsibility for home making and childcare and their social support is substantially lower than that of native mothers (T. L. Chen et al, 2011).…”

“…Immigrant mothers usually assume primary responsibility for home making and childcare and their social support is substantially lower than that of native mothers (T. L. Chen et al, 2011). These factors, along with language difficulties and cultural differences could have adifferential influence on the home environment and parenting behaviors, and hence the children's developmental outcomes.…”