The milk of human kindness: environmental and human interactions in a WIC clinic that influence infant-feeding decisions of Black women

Qual Health Res. 2005 Apr;15(4):525-38. doi: 10.1177/1049732304273030.

Abstract

In this ethnographic study, the author explores the context of Black women's 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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Black or African American*
  • Decision Making
  • Feeding Methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant Care*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Maternal-Child Health Centers*
  • New York
  • Pregnancy
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Urban Population