BREAST-FEEDING IN IMMIGRANT WOMEN - THE ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ACCULTURATION

This study assessed the influence of social support and acculturation on breast-feeding in 962 low-income immigrant women in New York. Women completed a questionnaire during their postpartum visit. Logistic reg ression analyses revealed that mom acculturated women were 2 times les s likely to decide to breast-feed than less acculturated women. The in fluence of acculturation decreased however when controling for other p redictor variables. Predictor variables of breast-feeding (p < .05) we re intent, being a nonsmoker; breast-feeding role modeling, and a nega tive response to the item ''A modem woman breast-feeds her baby. '' Ac culturation did not influence breast-feeding. More acculturated women reported mom social support. The results indicate a need to target bre ast-feeding promotion to the most vulnerable group of young mothers (i .e., recent arrivals and women who are undecided about their infant fe eding method).