Hi Heather For an answer to this question, I suggest that you look outside the west and beyond the 21st Century. Infant feeding is socially learned. Think about how young girls see mothers feeding. Think about the toys they are given and what infant feeding practices they rehearse at play. Have a look at what happens in traditional cultures and look at the work of Rima Apple, Virginia Thorley and Jaqueline Wolf. They are historians who have each examined the histories of infant feeding in America and Australia. There you will find a very lucid account of a change in feeding culture driven by economic and social change (industrial revolution) and the concommitant changes in social values and practices. Cheers Nina Berry Australia -----Original Message----- From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Heather Young Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 8:00 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: cultural differences and breastfeeding My name is Heather Young. I am an Ivy Tech nursing student from Indianapolis, IN. I have researched a few articles to find if there are any real cultural differences when it comes to breastfeeding. In general, I have found that caucasian mothers are least likely to initiate breastfeeding in comparison to African American, Japanese, Indian and other minority women. This is suprising to me since as a whole, caucasians have the greatest access to education regarding breastfeeding and its advantages. I question then, how can this be the case? What makes these minority cultures such advocates for breastfeeding? Are there certain cultural differences regarding breastfeeding that I should be aware of as I enter the nursing field? I know that when women of certain cultures are postpartum, they have certain hot/cold preferences. Do different cultures have specific views, practices when it comes to breastfeeding? Thank you in advance for your feedback. Heather Young, SNITCC References: Kelly,Y., Watt, R. and Naxroo, J. Racial / Etnic Differences in Breastfeeding, Initiation and Continuation in the United Kingdom and Comparison With Findings in the United States. Pediatrics. (November 2006). Vol. 118. No. 5. pp. e1428-e1435. www.blink.org.uk/pdescription.asp?key=740&grp=5 *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html Mail all commands to [log in to unmask] To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or [log in to unmask]) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet or ([log in to unmask]) To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html Mail all commands to [log in to unmask] To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or [log in to unmask]) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet or ([log in to unmask]) To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]