A Concept Analysis of Intergenerational Legacies in Lactation Decision-Making

Area of Science:

• Lactation and infant feeding research.
• Sociology and anthropology of family health.
• Intergenerational studies.

Background:

• The concept of intergenerational influences on infant feeding lacks consistent definition in research.
• Terms like 'intergenerational transmission' and 'grandmother support' are used interchangeably, hindering conceptual clarity.
• For African American women, legacies of enslavement and racism add unique layers to lactation decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formally define 'intergenerational legacies in lactation decision-making'.
• To identify the core attributes, antecedents, and consequences of this concept.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Walker and Avant's eight-step concept analysis framework.
• Conducted an interdisciplinary literature search across major databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus) from 2000-2025.
• Included peer-reviewed articles from nursing, public health, anthropology, sociology, and family science.

Main Results:

• Defined three key attributes: transmission of lactation knowledge/beliefs, historical/cultural context influence, and adaptive intergenerational responses.
• Identified antecedents including family structures, prior feeding experiences, communication, and historical context (e.g., enslavement).
• Consequences encompass maternal attitudes, lactation self-efficacy, and the continuation or alteration of feeding norms.

Conclusions:

• Provides the first formal definition of intergenerational legacies in lactation decision-making.
• Establishes a theoretical basis for culturally sensitive research and practice.
• Highlights applicability to communities affected by disrupted intergenerational knowledge transfer.