Social and

Environmental Factors

that Influence African

American Women’s

Infant Feeding Choices.

SOCY 691Spring 2015

A presentation by Lauren N. Jenkins

ISSUE: Disparity of breastfeeding amongst African American Mothers

BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding in America

Breastfeeding has positive effects for mother and child from a nutritional, physiological, and developmental perspective (Johnson, A., Kirk, R., Rosenblum, K., & Musil, M. 2015).

Breastfeeding rates in the United States have increased

Research, social awareness, and legislation are just some factors contributing to this rise

Centers for Disease Control STATS

Breastfeeding. (2014, September 2). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding. (2011, January 1). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/breastfeeding/index.html

Disparities in Breastfeeding

Practices

PURPOSE OF PROJECT

Explore the Barriers to African American Women Engaging in

Breastfeeding Practices

Objective(s) Identify the Social and Cultural

Factors that contribute to African American Infant feeding practices

Identify the Environmental Settings that impact African American Infant feeding practices

Explore Resources and Information to aid and promote Healthy Breastfeeding practices for African American Mothers

Social and Cultural Factors

That Contribute to African American Infant Feeding Practices

Belief Systems

Lifestyle Choices

Family Influence

Environmental Settings

That Impact African American Infant Feeding Practices

The Workplace

Public Settings

Community We Live In

INFORMATION & RESOURCES

To Aid and Promote Healthy Breastfeeding Practices for

African American Mothers

Va. Code § 2.2-1147.1 (2002, 2015) guarantees a woman the right to breastfeed her child on in any place where the mother is lawfully present, including any location where she would otherwise be allowed on property that is owned, leased or controlled by the state. The bill also stipulates that childbirth and related medical conditions specified in the Virginia Human Rights Act include activities of lactation, including breastfeeding and expression of milk by a mother for her child. (HB 1264, HB 1499)

Md. Health-General Code Ann. § 20-801 (2003) permits a woman to breastfeed her infant in any public or private place and prohibits anyone from restricting or limiting this right. (SB 223)

Maryland Breastfeeding Law(s)

Virginia Breastfeeding Law(s)

References Breastfeeding. (2014, September 2). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/

Cottrell, B., & Detman, L. (2013). Breastfeeding Concerns and Experiences of African American Mothers. MCN, The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 297-304. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com.proxy.library.vcu.edu/sp-3.15.1b/ovidweb.cgi?WebLinkFrameset=1&S=BCAGFPKDOLDDOOJINCKKAFOBJOJBAA00&returnUrl=ovidweb.cgi?&Full+Text=L%7cS.sh.54.55%7c0%7c00005721-201309000-00009&S=BCAGFPKDOLDDOOJINCKKAFOBJOJBAA00

Johnson, A., Kirk, R., & Muzik, M. (2015). Overcoming Workplace Barriers: A Focus Group Study Exploring African American Mothers’ Needs for Workplace Breastfeeding Support. Ournal of Human Lactation : Official Journal of International Lactation Consultant Association. ,2015.

Johnson, A., Kirk, R., Rosenblum, K., & Musil, M. (2015). Enhancing breastfeeding rates among African American women: A systematic review of current psychosocial interventions. Breastfeeding Medicine, P.45-P.45.

References Labbok, M. (2012). Community interventions to

promote optimal breastfeeding.

Spencer, B., & Grassley, J. (2013). African American Women and Breastfeeding: An Integrative Literature Review. Health Care For Women International, 607-625.

Street, D., & Lewallen, L. (2013). The Influence of Culture on Breast-Feeding Decisions by African American and White Women. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 43-51.

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding. (2011, January 1). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/breastfeeding/index.html