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The Milk of Human Kindness: Environmental and Human Interactions in a WIC Clinic That Influence Infant-Feeding Decisions of Black WomenInternational Center of Research for Women, Children, and Families, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia In this ethnographic study, the author explores the context of Black womens infant-feeding decisions in an urban WIC clinic. Data were obtained from 319 people (130 Black women enrolled in WIC [BWEW], 189 relatives and friends) with close follow-up of 11 primiparous key informants during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. The major findings include (a) the WIC clinic environment set a positive tone for service, (b) WIC employees treated the women with caring and respect, (c) BWEW believed that WIC was a source of support in time of need, and (d) WIC influenced infant-feeding decisions. The availability of free formula facilitated bottle feeding, but personalized breast-feeding promotion with trusting relationships with WIC providers encouraged breast-feeding decisions for almost half of the key informants.
Key Words: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children infant-feeding experiences health care disparities
Qualitative Health Research, Vol. 15, No. 4,
525-538 (2005) |
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