Clinical recommendations for promoting breastfeeding among Hispanic women.
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize research regarding the low breastfeeding rates in Hispanic women living in the United States, particularly those who immigrate to this country and become acculturated.


METHODS
Extensive review of global literature on the subject.


CONCLUSIONS
Exclusive and continued breastfeeding rates in the United States have increased in recent years but remain low, and no state in the United States currently meets the Healthy People 2010 recommendations. Due to the increasing number of Hispanic women immigrating to the United States and having children, it is imperative to develop appropriate culturally specific guidelines in breastfeeding promotion programs. When providing care to a Hispanic mother, clinicians can best assist this population by holistically reviewing all aspects of a woman's life including her environment and relationships with others to provide positive outcomes that ultimately benefit Hispanic mothers and their newborns.


CONCLUSIONS
Guidelines and interventions for initiating and continuing breastfeeding in Hispanic women are proposed, including providing a bilingual personal breastfeeding advocate, as well as group classes that incorporate traditional Hispanic cultural beliefs and allow the women to devise personal breastfeeding plans.
Faraz
Asefeh
A
Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut 06536-0740, USA. asefeh.faraz@aya.yale.edu
D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000208:ethnology; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic