#EveryGenerationMatters: Intergenerational Perceptions of Infant Feeding Information and Communication Among African American Women

Abstract

Objective: African American (AA) women look to their mother and maternal grandmother for parenting information and support; this intergenerational communication may reinforce or hinder breastfeeding practices. Rooted in Black Feminist Thought, this study's objective was to use an asset-based approach to explore infant feeding information shared across at least two generations of AA female family members. Materials and Methods: Fifteen family triads/dyads (N = 35 women), residing in Southeastern United States, participated in semistructured interviews in 2019. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Infant feeding information shared across generations was characterized into six themes: Guidance, Practical assistance, Reservations, Affirmations, Observational learning, and Perceived undermining. Typically, conversations occurred in one of four reproductive life stages (preconception, prenatal, birth, and post-birth) of the youngest adult generation and may have been influenced by each family's feeding history (''One generation breastfed,'' ''Two generations breastfed,'' and ''Three generations breastfed''). Notably, with each additional generation of breastfeeding experience, perceived undermining and reservation reporting decreased. In addition, families reclaimed and reconnected with ancestral breastfeeding practices. Conclusions: Findings suggest that every generation matters to breastfeeding behaviors in AA families. Therefore, nuanced, family-centered approaches should build on assets within AA families to support them in meeting their feeding goals. Practitioners should recognize the importance of oral tradition as a mode of transmitting infant feeding information among AAs and understand the influence of family feeding history in intergenerational infant feeding communication. When working with AAs, practitioners must be flexible, respectful, supportive, and actively learning about an individual's beliefs and culture, creating space to reframe, without judgment or paternalism.

Sleep SAAF responsive parenting intervention improves mothers’ feeding practices: a randomized controlled trial among African American mother-infant dyads

“…Previous research has identified that early introduction of solids as well as adding cereal to the bottle early in an infant’s life are considered cultural norms for African American mothers [ 28 ], but it is not yet well understood why this is the case. In qualitative studies, African American mothers have reported adding cereal to their infant’s bottle to help them sleep through the night [ 29 , 36 ]. Previous work has also highlighted the prominence of intergenerational influences on African American mothers’ bottle-feeding practices [ 28 , 36 ], suggesting that these behaviors may be entrenched and difficult to change.…”

“…In qualitative studies, African American mothers have reported adding cereal to their infant’s bottle to help them sleep through the night [ 29 , 36 ]. Previous work has also highlighted the prominence of intergenerational influences on African American mothers’ bottle-feeding practices [ 28 , 36 ], suggesting that these behaviors may be entrenched and difficult to change. Other research has indicated that low-income mothers often receive messages from their social networks that conflict with infant feeding recommendations [ 37 ] and that low-income mothers may perceive that infant feeding recommendations do not fit with their family’s needs [ 38 ].…”

A critical biocultural approach to early growth in the United States

“…There is opportunity here to ask more sophisticated, socially‐grounded, anti‐racist questions about growth in the U.S. The use of Black‐centered theory (such as Black Feminist Thought) and asset‐based approaches have been used successfully in breastfeeding research (Woods Barr et al, 2021) and would be a valuable addition to U.S. growth studies.…”

“Don’t Feel Like You Have to Do This All on Your Own”: Exploring Perceived Partner Support of Breastfeeding Among Black Women in Kentucky

“…Compared to white women who relied on intrapersonal factors (e.g., breastfeeding attitudes and knowledge) and Latina women who relied on environmental factors (e.g., behavioral control with pump availability) to breastfeed, Black women valued subjective norms (e.g., opinions of family and friends) when making breastfeeding decisions (Bai et al, 2011). Attending to familial and community beliefs highlighted an Afrocentric norm of collectivism (Woods Barr, Miller, et al, 2021. In Woods Barr, Austin, et al (2021), Black families’ histories of breastfeeding were influential for mothers’ breastfeeding decisions to initiate and sustain the practice.…”