Breastfeeding practices of ethnic Indian immigrant women in Melbourne, Australia

Dr Natasha Maharaj is a former PhD student at Mother & Child Health Research. She will present the findings of her PhD study focussing on the cultural and social context of decisions regarding breastfeeding practices of Indian immigrant women in Melbourne.

Studies on other immigrant groups in Australia show that there is need for understanding the cultural and social aspects of breastfeeding in order to promote culturally competent healthcare for immigrant groups. This study examined the lived experiences of early motherhood of ethnic Indian immigrant women in Melbourne and the interplay of migration, identity and motherhood. Ethnographic theoretical and methodological approaches were used, consisting of 12 case studies.  Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and observations, and analysed thematically. Cultural identity impacted the practice of traditional customs surrounding mother and infant care as well as attitudes toward child rearing. Specifically, breastfeeding practice was affected by factors such as support from family and influence of health professionals, amongst others. Since support is a cultural expectation we should take into account the bearing that extended family, husbands and health service providers have on experiences and decisions surrounding breastfeeding amongst Indian immigrant women. In order for health service provision to be most effective and promote confident and healthy mothers and children, women’s level of acculturation should be assessed in order to target services at levels that are sensitive to and appropriate for the degree of acculturation of immigrants.

3 April, 2013
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Mother & Child Health Research, La Trobe University
Library, Franklin Street Campus: level 3, room 325
 

Natasha Maharaj was born in Durban, South Africa. Her family later migrated to New Zealand, where she obtained B.Sc., B.A and M.A. (Hons) degrees from The University of Auckland. She then moved to Australia where she recently graduated with a PhD from the Centre for Mother and Child Health Research at La Trobe University, Melbourne. Her research examines the influence of identity on cross-cultural parenting among ethnic Indian immigrant women in Melbourne, Australia.

Open lunchtime research seminars are held at MCHR on the first Wednesday of every month from February to December from 12.30-1.30pm and showcase the work of national and international academics/researchers: lunchtime seminar program for 2013 [PDF 143KB]

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