Elizabeth Burns Godwin

Major: Nursing

Honors in Nursing

Supervisor: Dr. Carol Heinrich

CULTURAL PATTERNS OF NEONATAL FEEDING IN ALTO CAYMA, PERU: PERCEPTIONS AND BELIEFS OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS

The World Health Organization states that colostrum is “ideal for the newborn – in composition, in quantity and rich in antibodies… It is just what the baby needs during its first few days” and “needs to start in the first hour” (WHO, 2007). Evidence indicates that neonatal feeding of colostrum is beneficial to the infant and plays a part in helping to prevent diseases and reduce infant mortality. Throughout the world, certain indigenous and rural cultures are not aware of the beneficial properties of colostrum. The purpose of this study is to explore the cultural patterns of neonatal feeding in Alto Cayma, Peru through perceptions and beliefs of health care workers. A qualitative research methodology was utilized. Two physicians, a midwife, a nurse, and a social worker in Alto Cayma, Peru were asked five open-ended questions. Information was gathered related to how mothers feed their infants. The customs and practices of Alto Cayma are for mothers to feed their neonates colostrum as soon as they are born and to breastfeed exclusively for five to six months. Breastfeeding is considered natural and extremely accepted in this culture. At this time, mothers are providing their neonates with the best possible nutrition. Importantly, health care workers should give mothers encouragement to continue what they are doing and educate them on how beneficial colostrum is to their infants. Further research should be conducted to find the causes of infant mortality in Peru as well as continue researching other communities in order to identify the people who are not aware of the benefits of colostrum.