title: Brazilian Immigrant Mothers' Beliefs and Practices Related to Infant Feeding: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and timely introduction of appropriate solid foods are important determinants of weight status in infancy and later life stages. Disparities in obesity rates among young children suggest that maternal feeding practices during the first 2 years of life may contribute to these disparities. Brazilians are a growing immigrant group in the United States, yet little research has focused on parental beliefs and behaviors affecting the health of Brazilian immigrant children in the United States. Research aim: This study aimed to explore beliefs and infant-feeding practices of Brazilian immigrant mothers in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus group discussions were conducted with Brazilian immigrant mothers. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis and themes categorized using the socioecological model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine immigrant Brazilian mothers participated in the study. Analyses revealed that all participants breastfed their infants. The majority initiated breastfeeding soon after childbirth. However, most mothers did not exclusively breastfeed. They used formula and human milk concomitantly. Family and culture influenced mothers' infant-feeding beliefs and practices in early introduction of solid foods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As the number of children in the United States growing up in families of immigrant parents increases, understanding influences on Brazilian immigrant mothers' infant-feeding practices will be important to the development of effective interventions to promote healthy infant feeding and weight status among Brazilian children. Interventions designed for Brazilian immigrant families should incorporate an understanding of social context, family, and cultural factors to develop health promotion messages tailored to the needs of this ethnic group.
authors.affiliation: 1 Exercise and Health Sciences Department, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Ana Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.affiliation: 2 Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Sherrie F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Wallington
authors.affiliation: 3 Health Studies & Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Greaney
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Social Nutrition, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hasselman
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcia Maria
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Tavares Machado
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Social Nutrition, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raquel S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mezzavilla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000208:ethnology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000592:standards; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: breastfeeding; breastfeeding barriers; breastfeeding practices; focus group; infant formula; mother–infant; mother–infant dyad; qualitative methods; social ecological model