Attitudes and beliefs related to breastfeeding and their effect on infant feeding in Central America: recent findings

RESUMO

Qualitative information was collected of 64 indigenous women in highland Guatemalan and 73 mestizo women throughout El Salvador via in-depth interviews and direct observations prior to the design of education/communication programs. Data were collected on beliefs, attitudes and values related to infant feeding in the first 24-36 months and on actual breastfeeding and weaning practices during health and illness. Findings on cultural factors were related to the infant feeding decisions of interviewed women and to patterns of breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, introduction of liquids and weaning foods into infants' diets. In both settings, despite important differences in cultural traditions, women hold very similar and strong beliefs, attitudes and values towards the qualities of breastmilk, breastfeeding, the nutritional needs of young children, and their own capacity of produce adequate quantities of milk of acceptable quality. These cultural factors color their interpretation of infant behaviors such as crying and influence their day-to-day decisions about infant feeding. Dominant in the resulting suboptimal feeding patterns is the almost complete absence of exclusive breastfeeding beyond the second month. These findings demostrate the persistence of cultural factors in infant feeding practices in the early months