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Introduction
Breastfeeding is an unsurpassed way of feeding ideal food for the healthy development and growth of infants. Breastfeeding also has a remarkable emotional and biological influence on the health of both the child and the mother. Nonetheless, irrespective of well-documented breastfeeding benefits to the childs health, most women across different cultures discontinue before the recommended time. This study aims at determining if cultural differences influence breastfeeding practices by comparing various cultural norms on breastfeeding (Negayama et al., 2012). The study will also examine breastfeeding patterns of initiation and continuation among an ethnically diverse group of mothers.
To examine breastfeeding cultural comparison, this study will compare three countries on their weaning and feeding practices and the reason behind their mothers perception of breastmilk, formula, and childcare. The participants will be mothers from the US, Japan, and France. In most cases, mothers beliefs and value systems influence what they choose as their breastfeeding practice. Also, according to Al-Sahab et al., 2008, family members and medical staff, particularly the grandmother and the father of the infants, influence the mothers decision for breastfeeding and weaning practices. Due to the background likely conflicting constraints and supports, mothers could experience dilemmas as they consider their infants continued breastfeeding (OBrien et al., 2007). In some cultures, breastfeeding can be supplemented by formula or terminated for varying reasons, including the perception of breast milk insufficiency, which is the major among many cultures.
Hypothetically, breastfeeding and weaning are different among different cultures depending on different values of childbearing, economies of the society, and health care practices. However, there is a continuous rapid change of public attitude towards such cultures. This study examines breastfeeding practices, perception of breast milk, and mothers feelings about parenting among the three countries, including the USA, France, and Japan. Comparisons will be made of a social system and cultural value on breastfeeding relationships (Negayama et al., 2012). The perception of breast milk insufficiency could be a cue to understanding human cultural variation and nature. It could also be an exciting touchstone within cultural variations in the infant-mother relationship.
According to the research by OBrien et al. 2007 on the comparison of breastfeeding practices in Australia and Iran,; breastfeeding is an odd way of feeding ideal food for healthy development and growth of the infants. Breastfeeding also has a unique emotional and biological influence on the health of both the child and the mother. Nonetheless, irrespective of well-documented breastfeeding benefits to the childs health, most women across different cultures discontinue before the recommended time. Their study attempted to examine variables affecting breastfeeding practices in Australia by comparing Iran and Australia that is believed to enjoy a comparatively high rate of breastfeeding. Their study established a range of variables that seemed to affect breastfeeding practices in Australia negatively. Such variables included minimal uptake of baby-friendly hospital initiatives, lack of proper programs by the government to promote breastfeeding, cultural issues,...…towns of the study area will be given the questionnaire by the ministry of health officials. The cities of study in Japan will include, Niiza, Wako, Torokorozwa, and Shiki. In France, the questionnaires will be given to all mothers with an infant of 4 to 20 months at public daycare centers in Paris.
The research team will also disseminate questionnaires with a return envelope and information sheet to each mother through the assistance of institutions willing to collaborate in this research. The information sheet will provide information about the research and consent procedures. Each mother contacted will be free to participate or decline. The questionnaires will then be returned anonymously to the research team through email.
The data collected will be cleaned and analyzed through STRATA. Only data from mothers with infants between the age of 4 and 20 months will be considered.
Sample of Survey Questionnaire.
Question 1.
Have you attained 18 years old of age and consent to participate in this study?
Answer;
Yes
No
Question 2.
What is your age?
Answer;
Below 18
18-25
26-30
30-40
40-50
Over 50
Question 3.
Do you have an infant between the age of 4 to 20 months?
Answer;
Yes
No
Question 4.
Breastfeeding is the natural way of feeding a baby and should not be viewed as a sexual act.
Answer;
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Question 5.
The formula is the best way to feed a baby.
Answer;
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Question 6.
Breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby.
Answer;
Strongly Agree
…
References
Al-Sahab, B., Tamim, H., Mumtaz, G., Khawaja, M., Khogali, M., Afifi, R., ... & National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network (NCPNN. (2008). Predictors of breastfeeding in a developing country: results of a prospective cohort study. Public health nutrition, 11(12), 1350-1356.
Negayama, K., Norimatsu, H., Barratt, M., & Bouville, J. F. (2012). Japan–France–US comparison of infant weaning from mother’s viewpoint. Journal of reproductive and infant psychology, 30(1), 77-91.
O’Brien, M. L., Zareai, M., & Fallon, A. B. (2007). Creating a breastfeeding culture: a comparison of breastfeeding practices in Australia and Iran. Breastfeeding Review, 15(2), 15-20.
Data in this study indicates that these events preceded the discontinuation of breastfeeding. The following figure illustrates the Schema for Breastfeeding Definition provided by the Canadian Minister of Health (1997) which was adopted from the work of Labbok and Krasovec (1990) Schema for Breastfeeding Definition Source: Canadian Minister of Health (1997) adopted from the work of Labbok and Krasovec (1990) Vietnam and Cambodian Cultures Examined Several cultures are examined in this study including
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Breastfeeding and IQ Infants who are breastfeed tend to have higher IQ as they mature. This paper examines that phenomenon, which presents a complex set of cause-and-effect questions, including how long infants must be breastfed to receive any benefits associated with nursefeeding, whether there are important intercultural variations among children whose IQs are higher (for example, if there is a greater correlation in societies where most women breastfeed or, alternatively, where
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The literature examination of the study's foundation is thorough and detailed building a step-by-step foundation to the need and purpose of this current study and its importance to society. The flaws that were evident included the fact that many of the milestones reported were anecdotal by the parents. In addition the parents were not held to a standard of home care and stimulation tactics of the babies so it is possible