02 September 2018 02 Sep 2018

How do modern parents deal with cultural beliefs about breastfeeding? A qualitative study

Background Cultural beliefs strongly affect the practice of breastfeeding. Interpretations of cultural beliefs change over time, particularly among modern parents; however, knowledge of these changes is limited. Aim To explore cultural beliefs related to breastfeeding and modern Indonesian parents' perceptions. Methods This article reports on the cultural beliefs about breastfeeding from an ethnographic study of 23 participants. Data were collected using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and observations, and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Analysis revealed four main themes: ‘suggested food and behaviour’; ‘restricted food and behaviour’; ‘consequences of avoiding taboos’ and ‘the dynamic change in cultural beliefs’. Conclusions Healthcare providers can use the results of this study to develop a culturally sensitive educational programmes that are congruent with modern parents' needs.