Cultural sensitivity in the promotion of breastfeeding.

Despite the efforts of health care providers, the problem of low and decreasing breastfeeding rates among low-income women and women of color persists. Failure to make progress in this crucial area makes it essential to develop new strategies and models for culturally appropriate promotion of breastfeeding. Sensitive cultural assessment helps to gather information regarding cultural characteristics that may affect clients' behaviors. Strategies for the promotion of breastfeeding should be based on an awareness of the sociocultural barriers to breastfeeding in a particular community. General approaches for assessing and overcoming cultural barriers are addressed.