Breastfeeding and Cultural Comparison

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 child’s 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 (O’Brien 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.

Literature Review

According to the research by O’Brien 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 child’s 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, and lack of support to return to paid work.

In the study of “Predictors of breastfeeding in a developing country” by Al-Sahab et al., 2008, they assessed the predictors and the prevalence of infant breastfeeding between the age of one month and four months while evaluating the possible role of the sex of the pediatrician. In their study design, prospective cohort study, they tested predictors of breastfeeding at one and four months significant at the bivariate level through two regression models. The study enrolled infants through the dispensaries and clinics of 118 pediatricians based in Lebanon, Beirut, and its environments. Consequently, between august 2001 and 2002 February, newborn infants totaling 1320 were born and were prospectively monitored during the first year. According to the study’s findings, the breastfeeding rates at one and four months were 56.3 % and 24.7%, respectively. The high breastfeeding rates witnessed at months one and four have alluded to the religion, early discharge, and high parity.

On the other hand, the study established that maternal age is only significant at one month. In contrast, at four months, the sex of the pediatrician and maternal working status was substantial. The study finally concluded that in Beirut, infants breastfeeding rates at 1 and 4 months are low.

In another study by (Negayama et al. 2012) on “Japan–France–US comparison of infant weaning from mother’s viewpoint,” the study determined that breastfeeding differs among different cultures depending on different values of childbearing and economies of the society and health care practices. However, the study found a continuous rapid change of public attitude towards such cultures. The study aimed to examine the breastfeeding practices, perception of breast milk, and mothers’ feelings about parenting among the three countries, including the USA, France, and Japan. In the study, a questionnaire on weaning practice was carried out on 756 French, 222 American, and 310 Japanese mothers with infants of around four to twenty months old. According to the study’s findings, mothers from France expected and had accomplished weaning infants earlier than mothers from America and Japan. The Japanese mother’s termination of breastfeeding at an earlier infant period was majorly accorded to the perceived breast milk insufficiency.

On the other hand, the French mothers alluded to earlier termination of breastfeeding to back to work as their primary reason. Also, from the findings, Japanese mothers indicated a negative of themselves as mothers, while mothers from France felt that child care is more burdening. Moreover, the Significant Japanese mothers who terminated breastfeeding the infants based on perceived breast milk insufficiency were also less motivated to breastfeed. In the study’s conclusion, weaning was a robust framework in understanding cultural disparities in infant-mother relationships. The perceived insufficiency is understood as a solution to the challenge between the breastfeeding social pressure and its burden.

Method

Participants

This study will be aiming at 110, 125, and 150 mothers from France, Japan, and the USA, respectively. All the mothers targeted to participate in the study will have infants between four and twenty months at the survey time. The study will also ensure a fair distribution of the mothers across the age range of the infants.

Procedure

In the United States, questionnaires will distribute by the research team through the ministry of health to Michigan’s state’s clinical center and pediatric offices to collect feedback from mothers having an infant aged 4 to 20 months. In Japan, every mother at obligatory medical check and has an infant of 4 to 20 months of age within the 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.