Dear Lactnetters,
Hello! My name is Wendy Chu, and I am a nursing student @ the University
of North Dakota.  I have been following Lactnet for about 3 weeks, and
recently, a message was posted about Asian babies and their size related
to the parents size.  This note caught my interest because I am a second
generation Chinese-American, and am currently involved in breastfeeding
research at the college of nursing here @ UND.  I would like to comment
on some of the cultural issues which influence not only breastfeeding, but
also general healthcare beleifs of the Asian population.

According to Mattson (1995), Southest Asian women may not drink cold
liquids because of the cultural belief that warm liquids help the uterus
to involute and that warmth helps to maintain the ying-yang balance.
Also, the mother may not brestfeed until the milk has come in to "prevent
the mother from losing heat and fluids"

In another study done of Hmong women in WI by Jambuthan & Stewart(1995)
found that many Hmong women who have immigrated to the USAdo not follow
their cultural norm of BF because it is not the norm in the United States,
and that to many Hmong, breastfeeding is associated with poverty.  Some
effective methods of teaching may be to include the elderly women of the
community and to include illustrations.

An article written by Muecke (1983) states that IV lines that are placed
in an infant's scalp may be a threat to Southeast Asians because of the
cultural belief that the baby's spirit may exit via the soft fontanel.

My perception of these cultural beliefs is that they are things that are
taught down from generations.  I grew up with many superstitions, and know
of many types of Chinese medicine that my parents and grandparents use.  I
feel fortunate to have been exposed to a bi-cultural background, and hope
that I can use it as a positive influence as a future nurse.

As a side note, I agree with what Kathy Dettwyler said about nutrition and
environment playing a bigger role than genetics.  All of my sibligs are
between 5'5" and my brother is 6' tall.

I would appreciate your thoughts and comments on this issue.
Thank you,
Wendy Chu (nursing student @ the University of North Dakota)

        Jambunathan, J.& Stewart, S. (1995). Hmong Women in Wisconsin:
What are Their Concerns in Pregnancy and Childbirth? Birth(22)4, p.
204-210.
        Mattson, S. (1995). Culturally Sensitive Perinatal Care for
Southeast Asians JOGGN (24) 4, p.335-341.
        Muecke, M.A. (1983). Caring for Southeast Asian Patients in the
USA. American Journal of Public Health (73)4, p. 431-438.