EAST ASIAN & SOUTHEAST ASIAN CULTURES
VIETNAMESE, CAMBODIAN & LAOTIAN
Vietnamese & Cambodian people may practice the Yang-ch’i and
the Yin-ch’i. The Yang energy is the positive energy source of warmth
and fullness, while the Yin energy is the negative force of darkness and
cold. Ill health is thought to be caused by an imbalance between these
two forces.
Diet is restricted because foods are grouped by their intrinsic features
into “hot” and “cold.” Hot foods may include:
chicken, pork, ginger, salt, black pepper, boiled rice, and Chinese Tea.
Cold foods to avoid may include: raw and cold vegetables and fruits; spinach,
melon, lemon, bananas and deep fried or fatty foods.
The most common reason for not breastfeeding is a perceived lack of milk
supply. The quality and quantity of milk supply is associated with the
mother’s health, which can often be compromised therefore making
breastfeeding unstable and unreliable.
The Hmong women may feel that their breast milk is “stale”
or “old” and that formula is new and fresh and therefore better
for the infant. They may wait to breastfeed until they see the infant
as “ready” which may be after the baby has had a couple bowel
movements.
Colostrum is seen as old milk and is therefore discarded. Infants in their
first days of life may be fed ginseng tea or boiled sugar water. Women
living in North America may use formula to feed until their milk comes
in.
CHINESE
The Chinese culture also practices the Yin and the Yang. Chinese families
may restrict diet and activity to maintain the hot and cold balance postpartum.
Some Chinese women may feel embarrassed to breastfeed in public, which
can be a barrier to breastfeeding if they are living in crowded conditions
or if they are required to return to work early.
Formula may be seen as more modern, convenient, and reliable compared
to breast milk.
JAPANESE
The Japanese culture
places a high emphasis on healthy children and as such breastfeeding is
viewed as positive, healthy, and necessary. It is not unusual to have
prolonged breastfeeding even today. Health Canada noted that “Japanese
kindergarten admission application asks how long the child was breastfed
and if the child has been weaned”.
The maternal diet may emphasis rice, gruel, and soup, which are thought
to increase mother’s milk production.
Some Japanese mothers may be uncomfortable breastfeeding in public.
SOUTH ASIAN CULTURES
INDIA
Following childbirth there is a 40 day rest period; women in India will
typically stay with their mothers. In Canada women may feel isolated and
distanced if their families are far away.
The maternal diet may restrict mothers from eating spicy, heavy foods
and may encourage her to drink milk and a porridge consisting of millet
flour, hot milk, and sugar. The porridge is thought to increase milk supply.
About half of Indian women will combine breastfeeding with other feeding
methods. Cereals are commonly introduced at about 3 months and fruits
and vegetables may be introduced at 4-6 months of age.
LATIN
AMERICAN & HISPANIC CULTURES
A Hispanic mother may believe that she is at an increased risk following
childbirth. There is a 40 day rest period where families support the new
mother.
Maternal diet is important as the hot and cold beliefs are also associated
with the Hispanic culture. Foods that are seen as “hot” are
thought to increase mother’s milk supply (malt drinks, black beer,
a drink of boiled corn and milk). Parsley and vegetables are thought to
dry up mother’s milk supply.
Colostrum is considered “dirty” and “old.” A mother
may wait to feed until her milk has come in and may use herbal teas, olive
oil, or castor oil to stimulate the passage of the meconium.
Some Latin American mothers may decide not to breast feed if they feel
they have high anxiety or stress as this is thought to both reduce the
quality and quantity of the milk.
AFRICAN CULTURES
Somalian
The majority of Somalian women are Muslim and therefore may follow the
Muslim teachings which instruct women to breastfeed. Somalian women may
be opposed to breastfeeding in front of men.
Colostrum may be seen as “bad” milk that the mother will express
by hand and then discard.
REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY
Agnew, T. & Gilmore, J. (1997). A Multicultural
Perspective of Breastfeeding in Canada. (Cat. No. H39-386/1997E).
Ottawa, ON: Author
Gurm, B., & Dhari, R., & Lynam, J. (2000). Exploring perinatal
health in Indo-Canadian Women. Canadian Nurse, April, p 18-24.
Jambunathan, J. (1995). Hmong cultural practices and beliefs. Clinical
Nursing Research, 133 (4), p 335.
Leininger, M.M. (1985). Qualitative Research Methods in Nursing.
Riordan, J., & Gill-Hopple, K. (2000). Breastfeeding Care in Multicultural
Populations. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing,
2 (30), p 216-222.
Sweeny, M., & Guilino, C. (1987). The Health Belief Model as an explanation
for breastfeeding practices in a Hispanic population.
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