Perceptions related to breastfeeding and the early introduction of complementary foods amongst migrants in Cape Town, South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorHunter-Adams, Jo
dc.contributor.authorMyer, Landon
dc.contributor.authorRother, Hanna-Andrea
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:04:17Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:04:17Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractAbstract Background Infant feeding recommendations are of health importance, yet the extent to which migrant communities in low- and middle-income countries know or implement these recommendations is poorly understood. This study explores the perspectives of infant feeding amongst cross-border migrants in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods Between February and October 2013, semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 23) were conducted face-to-face with Congolese, Somali and Zimbabwean mothers living in Cape Town. To assess commonly identified narratives of infant feeding, nine focus group discussions (three with men and six with women) were conducted with migrant Somalis, Congolese, and Zimbabweans. Results Three dominant themes framed infant feeding. 1) Pragmatism in feeding choices drove responses to baby’s cues, including cries, sleeping patterns, and weight gain (2). Formula feeding was normative in the South African context, whereas lack of commercial infant milk back home was described in terms of expense (3). Low rates of breastfeeding were explained in terms of work responsibilities including household work and lack of breastmilk supply resulting from stress and poor diet. However, women participants typically did not consider their feeding choices to negatively affect their baby’s health. Conclusions The reasons for early introduction of both commercial infant milk and solid foods were complex. Breastfeeding was not prioritized despite an awareness of medical recommendations. Rather than emphasizing specific breastfeeding intentions, participants favoured an approach that reacted to their baby’s perceived changing needs. The practical challenges of breastfeeding described by cross-border migrant women reflect one way in which socio-economic and health inequalities may currently be perpetuated for marginalised populations.
dc.identifier.apacitationHunter-Adams, J., Myer, L., & Rother, H. (2016). Perceptions related to breastfeeding and the early introduction of complementary foods amongst migrants in Cape Town, South Africa. <i>International Breastfeeding Journal</i>, 11(1), 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34470en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationHunter-Adams, Jo, Landon Myer, and Hanna-Andrea Rother "Perceptions related to breastfeeding and the early introduction of complementary foods amongst migrants in Cape Town, South Africa." <i>International Breastfeeding Journal</i> 11, 1. (2016): 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34470en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationHunter-Adams, J., Myer, L. & Rother, H. 2016. Perceptions related to breastfeeding and the early introduction of complementary foods amongst migrants in Cape Town, South Africa. <i>International Breastfeeding Journal.</i> 11(1):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34470en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1746-4358
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Hunter-Adams, Jo AU - Myer, Landon AU - Rother, Hanna-Andrea AB - Abstract Background Infant feeding recommendations are of health importance, yet the extent to which migrant communities in low- and middle-income countries know or implement these recommendations is poorly understood. This study explores the perspectives of infant feeding amongst cross-border migrants in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods Between February and October 2013, semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 23) were conducted face-to-face with Congolese, Somali and Zimbabwean mothers living in Cape Town. To assess commonly identified narratives of infant feeding, nine focus group discussions (three with men and six with women) were conducted with migrant Somalis, Congolese, and Zimbabweans. Results Three dominant themes framed infant feeding. 1) Pragmatism in feeding choices drove responses to baby’s cues, including cries, sleeping patterns, and weight gain (2). Formula feeding was normative in the South African context, whereas lack of commercial infant milk back home was described in terms of expense (3). Low rates of breastfeeding were explained in terms of work responsibilities including household work and lack of breastmilk supply resulting from stress and poor diet. However, women participants typically did not consider their feeding choices to negatively affect their baby’s health. Conclusions The reasons for early introduction of both commercial infant milk and solid foods were complex. Breastfeeding was not prioritized despite an awareness of medical recommendations. Rather than emphasizing specific breastfeeding intentions, participants favoured an approach that reacted to their baby’s perceived changing needs. The practical challenges of breastfeeding described by cross-border migrant women reflect one way in which socio-economic and health inequalities may currently be perpetuated for marginalised populations. DA - 2016 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 1 J1 - International Breastfeeding Journal LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2016 SM - 1746-4358 T1 - Perceptions related to breastfeeding and the early introduction of complementary foods amongst migrants in Cape Town, South Africa TI - Perceptions related to breastfeeding and the early introduction of complementary foods amongst migrants in Cape Town, South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34470 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34470
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationHunter-Adams J, Myer L, Rother H. Perceptions related to breastfeeding and the early introduction of complementary foods amongst migrants in Cape Town, South Africa. International Breastfeeding Journal. 2016;11(1):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34470.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Public Health and Family Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.sourceInternational Breastfeeding Journal
dc.source.journalissue1
dc.source.journalvolume11
dc.source.pagination174 - 177
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13006-016-0088-3
dc.subject.otherBreastfeeding
dc.subject.otherComplementary feeding
dc.subject.otherInfant nutrition
dc.subject.otherRefugee and immigrant health
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.titlePerceptions related to breastfeeding and the early introduction of complementary foods amongst migrants in Cape Town, South Africa
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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