Breast-feeding determinants and postpartum food habits among Korean-American women

Low rates of breast-feeding have been reported in some ethnic populations in the United States; however, information about many groups is inadequate. This study, designed to explore and identify breast-feeding determinants and postpartum food habits, surveyed a group of 50 Korean-American women attending an obstetrics/gynecology clinic about 6 weeks after the birth of their infant. Initiation of breast-feeding was high (80%) and continuation at 6 weeks was 40%. Seaweed soup, a traditional Korean postpartum food, was consumed by all respondents. Mothers who planned to breast-feed were more likely to initiate it (p =.0001). The most commonly cited reason for discontinuation prior to the clinic visit was "not enough milk."