Breast-Feeding in Immigrant Women: The Role of Social Support and Acculturation

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Abstract
This study assessed the influence of social support and acculturation on breast-feeding in 962 low-income immigrant women in New York Women completed a questionnaire during their postpartum visit. Logistic regression analyses revealed that more acculturated women were 2 times less likely to decide to breast-feed than less acculturated women. The influence of acculturation decreased, however, when controlling for other predictor variables. Predictor variables of breast-feeding (p < .OS) were intent, being a nonsmoker, breast-feeding role modeling, and a negative response to the item "A modern woman breast-feeds her baby." Acculturation did not influence breast-feeding. More acculturated women reported more social support. The results indicate a need to target breast-feeding promotion to the most vulnerable group of young mothers (i.e., recent arrivals and women who are undecided about their infantfeeding method).