Open AccessDo maternal grandmothers influence breastfeeding duration and infant nutrition? Evidence from Merida, Mexico
Author(s) -
VázquezVázquez Adriana del Pilar,
Fewtrell Mary S.,
ChanGarcía Hidekel,
BatúnMarrufo Carolina,
Dickinson Federico,
Wells Jonathan C. K.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
american journal of biological anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2692-7691
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.24623
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , breast feeding , breast milk , anthropometry , demography , grandparent , pediatrics , psychology , developmental psychology , biochemistry , chemistry , sociology
Objectives Breast‐feeding is sensitive to somatic, hormonal, behavioral and psychological components of maternal capital. However, through grandmothering, older women may also influence breast‐feeding by transferring informational resources to their daughters. We hypothesized that mothers with prolonged instrumental support from their own mother are more likely to have received advice and to have favorable attitudes/practices regarding breastfeeding, compared to those lacking such support, with implications for the grandchild's somatic capital. Methods We recruited 90 mother‐infant dyads (52 with grandmaternal support, 38 without) in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. All children were first‐borns, aged ~2 years. Anthropometry and body composition were assessed. Data on grandmother's breastfeeding advice and maternal breastfeeding duration were obtained by questionnaire. Maternal attitudes to breast‐feeding were assessed using the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale. Results Women with instrumental support were more likely to have received grandmaternal advice during pregnancy/infancy on exclusive breast‐feeding duration (60% vs. 37%, p = 0.033) and the type of first complementary food (81% vs. 47%, p = 0.001). However, women with support had a less favorable attitude to breastfeeding than those without and breastfed their children for less time (median 5 vs. 10.5 months, p = 0.01). No group differences were found in children's length, weight, skinfolds or lean mass z ‐score. Discussion Although grandmothers providing instrumental support provided advice regarding breastfeeding, their attitudes may reflect issues beyond nutritional health. Advice of maternal grandmothers did not promote extended breastfeeding, however the differences in breastfeeding attitudes were not associated with the children's nutritional status. Grandmothers should be included in public health interventions promoting breastfeeding.