Infant Care Practices among Resettled Refugee Mothers from East and Central Africa

Abstract

Refugees often parent under extreme circumstances. Parenting practices have implications for child outcomes, and parenting in the context of refugee resettlement is likely to be dynamic as parents negotiate a new culture. This study examined African origin mothers’ infant care values and practices related to feeding, carrying, and daily activities following resettlement in the Southeastern region of the U.S. Ten African origin mothers were asked about their infant care practices through semi-structured interviews. Results indicated that mothers valued breastfeeding but often chose to use formula as a supplement or instead of breastfeeding. In addition, participants valued carrying their infants close to the body but used equipment such as strollers. Mothers expressed that perceptions of American culture and rules, social support, interactions with community agencies, and the need to engage in formal employment were factors that influenced their infant care practices.

Navigating new lives: A scoping review and thematic synthesis of forced migrant women's perinatal experiences

“…In the absence of extended family, many women sought support, friendship and advice from those from the same country of origin ( Russo et al., 2015 ; Bader et al., 2020 ; Kingsbury et al., 2018 ). However, issues of privacy within communities were often cited as a concern, specifically relating to violence, depression and HIV status ( Chulach et al., 2016 ; Ahmed et al., 2017 ; Yelland et al., 2014 ).…”

“…A dichotomy emerged between satisfaction and lived experiences of maternity care. Many women who had migrated to high- or middle-income countries expressed satisfaction with their maternity care overall, but this was usually framed in contrast to their previous maternity experiences in resource-poor settings with higher maternal mortality rates and gratitude for being taken care of within the host country health system ( Riggs et al., 2017 ; Niner et al., 2013 ; Korukcu et al., 2018 ; Henry et al., 2020 ; Bader et al., 2020 ; LaMancuso et al., 2016 ). In spite of this satisfaction, women in many studies identified being stigmatised and receiving disrespectful or discriminatory care, due to being foreign, their skin colour, immigration status or being unable to speak the host-country language ( Riggs et al., 2017 ; Chulach et al., 2016 ; Niner et al., 2013 ; McLeish, 2005 ; Lalla et al., 2020 ; Herrel et al., 2004 ; Agbemenu et al., 2019 ).…”

“…Attendance by a female doctor ( Riggs et al., 2017 ; Murray et al., 2010 ) and understanding of FGM ( Lephard and Haith-Cooper, 2016 ; Stapleton et al., 2013 ; Murray et al., 2010 ; Bulman and McCourt, 2002 ) are examples of cultural safety highlighted by study participants. Additionally, there were tensions between women's cultural norms and practices and the biomedical model of maternity care or western cultural norms experienced in high-income countries ( Riggs et al., 2017 ; Gallegos et al., 2015 ; Niner et al., 2013 ; Joseph et al., 2019 ; Stapleton et al., 2013 ; Bader et al., 2020 ; Joseph et al., 2020 ; Kulig, 1990 ). As one participant said: “I felt like I was judged by my doctor…I wanted to do things according to my tradition but I was expected to do things differently.” ( Riggs et al., 2017 ).…”

Evaluating Birth Outcomes From a Community-Based Pregnancy Support Program for Refugee Women in Georgia

“…Given the benefits of breastfeeding to the health and development of infants, providing culturally relevant education on breastfeeding is important to improve breastfeeding-related outcomes among resettled refugee populations ( 15 , 16 ). In Embrace's Healthy Babies and Breastfeeding module, community liaisons teach women about the health benefits of breastfeeding and navigating challenges with breastfeeding.…”

“…Compared with U.S.-born and non-refugee immigrant women, refugee women begin prenatal care later and have fewer prenatal visits during pregnancy due to socioeconomic and language barriers, stigma, culturally insensitive health services, and other challenges (1,(4)(5)(6)8). Additionally, a number of studies have shown that refugee women have higher rates of labor induction and cesarean delivery (2,14), higher risk of preterm birth (1,2), lower birthweight babies (1,3), and lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding (15,16). Although, notably, some studies have shown inconsistent results-for example, well-documented advantages in birth outcomes for foreignborn Latina women relative to U.S.-born women (17) and other studies that found African refugee women have better pregnancy outcomes than U.S-born women.…”