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Journal Article

The Milk of Human Kindness: Environmental and Human Interactions in a WIC Clinic That Influence Infant-Feeding Decisions of Black Women

By Cricco-Lizza R

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 breastfeeding promotion with trusting relationships with WIC providers encouraged breastfeeding decisions for almost half of the key informants.


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Date Added
March 16, 2018

Citation
Cricco-Lizza R (2005) The Milk of Human Kindness: Environmental and Human Interactions in a WIC Clinic That Influence Infant-Feeding Decisions of Black Women. Qualitative Health Research: Vol. 15, Issue 4, pp. 525-538. Available online: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1049732304273030