The Influence of Acculturation on Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration for Mexican-Americans

Abstract

This paper uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to test the hypotheses that (1) Similar to other positive pre-and post-natal outcomes, Mexican immigrant mothers are more likely to breastfeed, and to breastfeed longer, than white or Mexican-American mothers; and (2) Acculturation accounts for the ethnic/nativity differential in breastfeeding initiation and duration. The results support both hypotheses. Mexican immigrants to the U.S. are much more likely than whites to breastfeed, and to breastfeed longer. Mexican-American mothers, after controlling for background characteristics, have similar initiation and duration to whites. Using expanded acculturation measures developed for this paper, acculturation accounts for some of the difference between whites and Mexican immigrants in breastfeeding initiation, and much of the difference for breastfeeding duration. The results suggest that low levels of acculturation operate to protect Mexican immigrants from choosing to formula-feed, which gives their babies many health advantages, and may be associated with better health outcomes across the life course. The results also suggest that successive generations of Mexican immigrants may abandon breastfeeding, which is deleterious for their infants.

Assimilation and emerging health disparities among new generations of U.S. children

“…Studies have shown that maternal health behaviors are a primary protective factor for the good health of infants born to immigrant women (Reichman et al 2008). Immigrants, particularly women, are less likely to smoke or drink than natives (Lopez-Gonzalez, Aravena, and Hummer 2005) and changes to these and other health behaviors may be a key pathway through which health assimilation occurs (Akresh 2009;Landale et al 1999;Kimbro, Lynch, and McLanahan 2008). One central question arising from the literature on the paradox in children is whether the good health behaviors of mothers continue to protect their children past infancy (Guendelman 1998).…”

“…Given exposure to deleterious socioeconomic and environmental conditions in the United States over time, this healthy cultural orientation may be undermined, resulting in the deterioration of immigrant (and their descendants') health. Studies show that diet changes, rates of breastfeeding decline, and smoking and alcohol consumption increase with time spent in the United States among the adult immigrant generation and from the first to the second generations (Akresh 2009;Landale et al 1999;Lopez-Gonzalez, Aravena, and Hummer 2005;Kimbro, Lynch, and McLanahan 2008).…”

Essays on Culture and Early Childhood

“…So far, literature shows that breastfeeding practices vary across mother's birth place, ethnicity and race, even when they face similar socioeconomic conditions. (6,7,8,9,10,11,12) In addition, these practices are correlated with mother's participation in social activities (e.g. attendance to church), stigma around breastfeeding in public and gender roles beliefs, amongst others.…”

“…attendance to church), stigma around breastfeeding in public and gender roles beliefs, amongst others. (13,8,9,11,14,15) Understanding whether these norms and social beliefs have a role on the adoption of adequate breastfeeding practices is important because of its positive effect on human capital, largely discussed in scientific literature (See, for example, (18,19,20,21)). While there is extensive evidence of ethnic/racial variation in breastfeeding practices (9,7,6,10,12), only some argue these differences are explained by culture 1 .…”

“…While there is extensive evidence of ethnic/racial variation in breastfeeding practices (9,7,6,10,12), only some argue these differences are explained by culture 1 . (8,11,16,17) Those studies usually compare immigrants versus natives outcomes, which are affected by migration shocks and selection bias.…”