The Impact of Culture on Breastfeeding

Time-frame: 60
CERP: yes

Breastfeeding occurs in the context of multiple cultures: US culture; the ethnic and national culture of the mother and family; medical culture. This talk considers the roles of culture and interpreters in breastfeeding support; health care as a cultural system; and forms of milk sharing–cross nursing, wet nursing, milk kinship, milk banking, and the monetization of milk exchange. We also examine two examples of cultural influence on breastfeeding practice: colostrum taboo, and “yuck factor” in use of donor milk.



Naomi Bar-Yam, ACSW, PhD


Country: USA
Phone number: 617-599-2902
Email: naomi@necsi.edu
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Publications

Rich and Creamy for Our Preemie

Having a child in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is difficult. It is important for every family member to be included. As children and their families read and color this book, they will learn how the NICU, other moms, and local milk banks support breastfeeding and work to make the newest family member grow healthy and strong.