Latino Parents' Perspectives on the Life Trajectories of Mixed-Status Children.

Many immigrant Latino families have one or more U.S. -born children and at least one foreign-born non-citizen child. Contextual theories of human development would argue that these siblings would have very different life trajectories by virtue of their citizenship status or lack thereof. However, researchers and policy-makers know very little about the home environment of mixed-status siblings. Using data from in-depth personal interviews, this study examined parental perceptions of the life trajectories of mixed-status youth. Participants were 18 parents with at least one adolescent between the ages of 10-18 residing at home. Using grounded theory, two broad themes emerged. First, parental perceptions of children's life trajectories based on citizenship and parental concerns' regarding their children's mixed legal status. Within this first theme, parents discussed youth's educational opportunities, job prospects, health care access, and travel restrictions. The second theme was parental concerns' about their children's citizenship status; ambivalence about migrating to the United States; and coping with fear and anxiety. Results of this study highlight the pervasive influence of immigration policies and practices on family dynamics and child development, the risk they posit to youth development and individual family resilience.

Describing Maternal Knowledge of Infant Feeding Practices.

INTRODUCTION: This qualitative study aimed to describe first-time mothers' knowledge of infant feeding practices, including the responsive feeding approach. METHOD: This descriptive, qualitative study enrolled first-time mothers in the third trimester of pregnancy. Participants were asked plans for infant feeding and knowledge of infant feeding cues and responsive feeding. NVivo version 11 was used to analyze data using thematic analysis. RESULTS: All mothers (n = 30) intended to breastfeed. Hunger cues such as rooting were described; cessation of eating was consistently mentioned as a fullness cue. Mothers were unfamiliar with responsive feeding yet deduced the meaning of feeding in response to infant cues. Readiness for complementary foods was described by infant age and/or health care provider recommendation; developmental readiness was not described. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest future education and research should focus on responsive feeding and readiness for complementary foods. Finding ways to assist mothers to adhere to recommendations may promote healthy infant growth and prevent childhood obesity.