Infant feeding behavior and caretaker-infant relationships in Black families

This article examines the role of infant feeding behavior in the development and quality of caretaker-infant interactions in Black families. The first section reviews literature on the importance of early infant feeding behaviors to the physical, emotional and cognitive development of the infant. Emphasis is placed on the role of early feeding interactions as the context for the development of caretaker-infant relationships and the reciprocal influence of caretaker-infant interactions on the infant's subsequent development. The second section identifies factors that may place Black infants at higher risk for poor feeding in the first year of life. These factors include the higher incidence of low birthweight and premature infants born to Black women, as well as prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. The implications of these findings and the broader impact of drug use in the Black community on Black family life and outcomes are discussed.