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Accepted manuscript

A Scoping Review of Strategies for Breastfeeding Support Among Foreign-Born Mothers in the United States

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 February 2026

Aishat Gambari*
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Health Sciences Doctoral Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University
Usha Ramakrishnan
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Health Sciences Doctoral Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University
Melissa F. Young
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Health Sciences Doctoral Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University
*
Corresponding Author: Aishat Gambari, Email: aishat.gambari@emory.edu
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Abstract

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Despite increasing efforts to promote and support breastfeeding, the United States continues to have some of the lowest exclusive and sustained breastfeeding rates globally. Foreign-born immigrants and refugees specifically have been reported to have high initiation but low exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates. This scoping review aims to explore what is known about strategies to support breastfeeding among foreign-born mothers in the United States using the Arksey & O’Malley framework for scoping reviews and PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). Six databases were searched using a comprehensive search strategy and 2,103 articles were identified, of which 31 met eligibility criteria and discussed 33 specific breastfeeding interventions. The articles describe a range of interventions including breastfeeding promotion and education (n=30), hands-on breastfeeding support (n=9), material support -like giving breastfeeding supplies and food- (n=16), social support (n=18), and social marketing campaigns (n=1) to promote community support for breastfeeding. Common strategies for implementing these interventions include individual counseling (n=21), group breastfeeding education (n=17), informational materials (n=12) and family support promotion (n=11). 87.2% of the immigrant mothers targeted by these breastfeeding support interventions were Hispanic; 4.5% and 7.0% were mothers of African and Asian descent respectively. This study reveals limited data and key gaps in efforts to preserve the culture of breastfeeding and promote EBF among multicultural immigrant and refugee families, particularly non-Hispanic groups. Addressing these gaps will improve optimal infant feeding practices among foreign-born mothers in the U.S and consequently maternal and infant health outcomes.

Information

Type
Review Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society