Ethnotheories and breastfeeding practices in a Mayan community of Yucatan

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the ethnotheories and maternal feeding practices during the first two years of life in Kiní, Yucatán. Feed surveys and ethnographic interviews with mothers and grandmothers, and a semi-structured interview to the local clinic nutritionist were applied. Our results show that 90 % initiated breastfeeding, 82.8 %, introduced liquid foods and 53.8 % introduced solids before six months because of medical advice or perceived insufficient milk. Most were breast fed during illness. The fear of contagion and use of drugs were reasons to stop breastfeeding. The lack of milk was attributed to poor diet, lack of mother-infant contact, ingestion of drugs and exposure to cold air. The recommendations of the dietitian did not follow international guidelines, advising instead to discontinue nursing at the start of complementary feeding. The grandmothers recommended maternal and child care practices similar to those reported since 1930 and reflect the Mesoamerican hot-cold classification. The care practices are designed to ensure the production of milk in the new mother. Our results suggest the need to integrate local knowledge to medical education and include other family members, especially grandmothers, to programs of health education and nutrition.