Feeding Practices and Expectations among Middle-Class Anglo and Puerto Rican Mothers of 12-Month-Old Infants

Abstract

Beliefs and practices regarding infant feeding were examined among middle-class Puerto Rican and Anglo mothers of 12-month-old infants. In particular, Anglo mothers in Connecticut and Puerto Rican mothers in San Juan were interviewed regarding their expectations for the attainment of selected feeding-related milestones and observed in an actual feeding situation with their infants. Results indicate that the two groups of mothers demonstrate coherent clusters of beliefs and practices with regard to infant feeding at 12 months. In particular, Anglo mothers reported earlier attainment of self-feeding milestones and a greater emphasis on child-rearing goals related to self-maximization, whereas Puerto Rican mothers reported later attainment of self-feeding and a greater emphasis on child-rearing goals related to proper demeanor. Findings are interpreted as providing evidence for the existence of coherent patterns of beliefs and behaviors within each group, with Puerto Rican mothers’ patterns differing from those more commonly found among Anglo, middle-class mothers.

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