Unique aspects of Korean-American mothers

A descriptive study was conducted to explore Korean beliefs and attitudes toward pregnancy, birth, and postpartum practices. In addition, overall characteristics of Korean mother-infant interactions are described. The sample consisted of 21 healthy Korean mothers and their term infants. The study revealed that Korean mothers in the United States continued Korean cultural practices related to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum behaviors. One alteration from traditional birth practices was related to infant feeding. Although many of the mothers believed that breastfeeding was better for the infants, the mothers chose to bottle-feed. Nurses need to use knowledge of the value systems of culturally different patients to plan relevant nursing care.