title: Breast feeding practices as cultural interventions for early childhood caries in Cree communities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breastfeeding is a gift from mother to child and has a wide range of positive health, social and cultural impacts on infants. The link between bottle feeding and the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) is well documented. In Aboriginal communities, the higher rates of ECC are linked with low rates of breast feeding and inappropriate infant feeding of high sugar content liquids.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Baby Teeth Talk Study (BTT) is one project that is exploring the use of four interventions (motivational interviewing, anticipatory guidance, fluoride varnish and dental care to expectant mothers) for reducing the prevalence of ECC in infants within Aboriginal communities. This research explored cultural based practices through individual interviews and focus groups with older First Nations women in the community.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants in a First Nations community identified cultural based practices that have also been used to promote healthy infant feeding and good oral health. A wide range of themes related to oral health and infant feeding emerged. However, this paper focuses on three themes including: breastfeeding attitudes, social support for mothers and birthing and supporting healthy infant feeding through community programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The importance of understanding cultural health traditions is essential for those working in oral public health capacities to ensure there is community acceptance of the interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. j.cidro@uwinnipeg.ca.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cidro
authors.affiliation: Medical Services and Education Coordinator, Northern Health Region, 867 Thompson Drive South, Thompson, Manitoba, Canada. lzahayko@brha.mb.ca.
authors.forename: Lynelle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zahayko
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Herenia.Lawrence@dentistry.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Herenia P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.affiliation: Councillor, Norway House, Manitoba, Canada. sfolster@nhcn.ca.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Folster
authors.affiliation: First Nations and Inuit Health, Norway House Indian Hospital, Norway House, Manitoba, Canada. mmcgregor@nhcn.ca.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.affiliation: Family Home Visitor, Maternal Child Health, Strengthening Families Program, Norway House Cree Nation, Norway House, Manitoba, Canada. mch@nhcn.ca.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McKay
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003153:Community Health Services; D003376:Counseling; D003469:Culture; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017144:Focus Groups; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000379:methods; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000208:ethnology*; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care; D000068104:Infant Health / Q000208:ethnology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008350:Manitoba / Q000208:ethnology; D062405:Motivational Interviewing; D009909:Oral Health / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D005460:Fluorides, Topical