The Influence of Acculturation on Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration for Mexican-Americans |
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Authors: | Rachel Tolbert Kimbro Scott M Lynch Sara McLanahan |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Sociology, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA;(2) Department of Sociology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA;(3) Office of Population Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA;(4) Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA |
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Abstract: | This paper uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to test the hypotheses that (1) similar to other
positive pre- and post-natal outcomes, Mexican immigrant mothers are more likely to breastfeed, and to breastfeed longer,
than white or Mexican-American mothers; and (2) acculturation accounts for the ethnic/nativity differential in breastfeeding
initiation and duration. The results support both hypotheses. Mexican immigrants to the U.S. are much more likely than whites
to breastfeed, and to breastfeed longer. Mexican-American mothers, after controlling for background characteristics, have
similar initiation and duration to whites. Using expanded acculturation measures developed for this paper, acculturation accounts
for some of the difference between whites and Mexican immigrants in breastfeeding initiation, and much of the difference for
breastfeeding duration. The results suggest that low levels of acculturation operate to protect Mexican immigrants from choosing
to formula-feed, which gives their babies many health advantages, and may be associated with better health outcomes across
the life course. The results also suggest that successive generations of Mexican immigrants may abandon breastfeeding, which
is deleterious for their infants. |
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Keywords: | Acculturation Breastfeeding Mexican-Americans |
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