Cindy,

There is an out-of-print book authored by Ann Clark and Dyanne Alfonso (?
second author) on _Cultural Influences During the Childbearing Year_ (not
exact title).  It was published in the late 1970's, I once had a copy but is
now lost to a "borrower."  Ann Clark compiled contributions from various
ethnic groups (Hawaiian, Hispanic, Africans, Chinese, Japanese +) who were
then living in USA and had/were experienced(ing) childbearing.  There was
some information on breastfeeding.  You might try to locate book in the U.
California Library system.  Ann Clark was (may still be) on faculty at UCSF.

Have you seen the new book from British authors, Judith Schott and Alix
Henley, (1996), _Culture, Religion & Childbearing in a Multiracial Society_,
Oxford, UK: Butterworth-Heinemann?  Content includes "feeding the baby" by
specific cultures and religions - along with many other issues.  The authors
note that breastfeeding rates of are "disappointingly low" but give no
statistics.  They do have extensive references, however.  Breastfeeding
apparently is higher in those women from other cultures who have recently
arrived in the UK...which is the situation here in the USA.  They quote a
1992 study which found, "women who were themselves breastfed and whose
friends breastfeed their babies, were more likely to breastfeed successfully
(Infant Feeding, Office of Populations Censuses and Surveys, Social Survey
Division, HMSO, London).  Surprise!

Good luck with your qualitative study - sounds very interesting.

Martha Pitzer, RN, PhD, IBCLC
Columbus, Ohio