A Critical Inquiry of Breastfeeding Attitudes, Barriers, and Experiences of African American Women living in Poverty

ABSTRACT

Low-income African American women have disproportionately low rates of breastfeeding, which is indicative of individual, social, and structural barriers to breastfeeding. The WIC Infant Feeding Practices Scale was administered to 32 low-income, African American women. Participants reported favorable attitudes toward breastfeeding and identified with breastfeeding benefits, however not with breastfeeding barriers. Participants also completed a postpartum breastfeeding experiences survey that showed low levels of engagement with lactation professionals. Using critical feminist theory and quantitative criticalist approach to interpret these findings, this study highlights the need for more culturally responsive research and interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• African American breastfeeding
• breastfeeding
• breastfeeding disparities
• critical feminist theory
• critical quantitative approach

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics.