Neonatal feeding practices of Anglo American mothers and Asian Indian mothers living in the United States and India

Objective: To compare the colostrum and prelacteal feeding practices of Anglo American mothers and Asian Indian mothers living in the United States and India. Design: Data were collected by interviews in the mother's home. Setting: Southeastern United States and India. Participants: Participants included 75 mother-infant pairs (n = 25 per ethnic group). Variables Measured: Demographic characteristics, length of US residence, mother's colostrum and prelacteal feeding practices, and associated reasons. Analysis: Descriptive statistics Results: All Anglo American mothers initiated breast-feeding immediately after the infant's birth, and none gave prelacteal feeds. Asian Indian mothers living in the United States and India initiated breast-feeding postpartum at means of 12 and 30 hours, respectively. Six of the Asian Indian women living in the United States and 17 Asian Indian mothers living in India delayed introducing colostrum and fed prelacteal feeds. Conclusions and Implications: Asian Indian women who come to live in the United States demonstrate different feeding practices than their Indian counterparts. In India, women may receive guidance regarding breast-feeding primarily from relatives and friends, whereas in the United States, breast-feeding counseling may be provided by health professionals. Nutritionists are encouraged to understand the maternal reasons for withholding colostrum and prelacteal feeding and to give compatible messages targeted at women of Asian Indian origin about breast-feeding.