‘Breast is best’: Infant feeding decisions and maternal deviance

Murphy, Elizabeth A.

doi:10.1111/1467-9566.00149

Cited by 266 publications

(287 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Mutual negotiation and appraisal of changing family roles is informed by cultural and sub-cultural understandings, particularly related to gender roles, nutrition and what it means to be a 'thriving' infant and 'good' mother (Amir, 2011;Barclay & Lupton, 1999;Murphy, 1999). Breastfeeding, as a visible performance of one of these new roles (Stearns, 1999), not only invites comment by others about its perceived 'success' or otherwise but also places physical limits on the renegotiation of domestic labour.…”

Section: The Social Context Of Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socially sensitive lactation: Exploring the social context of breastfeeding

Leeming

Williamson

Lyttle

et al. 2013

Psychology & Health

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Many women report difficulties with breastfeeding and do not maintain the practice for as long as intended. Although psychologists and other researchers have explored some of the difficulties they experience, fuller exploration of the relational contexts in which breastfeeding takes place is warranted to enable more in-depth analysis of the challenges these pose for breastfeeding women. The present paper is based on qualitative data collected from 22 first-time breastfeeding mothers through two phases of interviews and audio-diaries which explored how the participants experienced their relationships with significant others and the wider social context of breastfeeding in the first five weeks postpartum. Using a thematic analysis informed by symbolic interactionism, we develop the overarching theme of 'Practising socially sensitive lactation' which captures how participants felt the need to manage tensions between breastfeeding and their perceptions of the needs, expectations and comfort of others. We argue that breastfeeding remains a problematic social act, despite its agreed importance for child health. Whilst acknowledging the limitations of our sample and analytic approach, we suggest ways in which perinatal and public health interventions can take more effective account of the social challenges of breastfeeding in order to facilitate the health and psychological well-being of mothers and their infants.

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Section: The Social Context Of Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socially sensitive lactation: Exploring the social context of breastfeeding

Leeming

Williamson

Lyttle

et al. 2013

Psychology & Health

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“…Breastfeeding tiny infants is highly promoted over formula feeding in medical and public health discourses as the best way to promote infants' health and development. Women who are not able or willing to engage in breastfeeding often articulate feelings of distress, worthlessness, frustration and the belief that they do not conform to notions of the 'good mother' (see, for example, Murphy 1999, Schmied and Lupton 2001, Lee 2007, Knaak 2010. There is also evidence to suggest that many pregnant women are becoming very aware of the risk discourse surrounding pregnancy and experience anxiety about the risks of miscarriage or stillbirth, foetal abnormalities, abnormal development and other health problems in their unborn babies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘The best thing for the baby’: Mothers’ concepts and experiences related to promoting their infants’ health and development

Lupton

2011

Health, Risk & Society

132

161

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Mothers and pregnant women in contemporary western societies are at the centre of a web of expert and lay discourses concerning the ways they should promote and protect the health and development of their foetuses and infants. This article reports the findings from an Australian study involving interviews with 60 mothers. The findings explore in detail four topics discussed in the interviews related to pregnancy and caring for young infants: disciplining the pregnant body; promoting infants' health; immunisation; and promoting infants' development. It is concluded that the mothers were highly aware of their responsibilities in protecting their foetuses and infants from harm and promoting their health and development. They conceptualised the infant body as highly vulnerable and requiring protection from contamination. They therefore generally supported the idea of vaccination as a way of protecting their babies' immature immune systems, but were also often ambivalent about it. The mothers were aware of the judgemental attitudes of others, including other mothers, towards their caring efforts and attempted to conform to the ideal of the 'good mother'. The emotional dimensions of caring for infants and protecting their health are discussed in relation to the voluntary participation of mothers in conforming to societal expectations.

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“…Thus they strive to follow the recommended biomedical guidelines to minimise potential health risks and achieve the social status of a "good mother" [35]. While others argue that mothers breastfeed because it is their role and it is an expected practice from the family and society [33,36].…”

Section: Exploring Perceptions and Practices Of Biomedical Norms Durimentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Perceptions and Practices of Biomedical Norms during Exclusive Breastfeeding among HIV-Positive Lactating Mothers in Mozambique

Cuinhane

Coene²,

Roelens

et al. 2017

J AIDS Clin Res

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Introduction: To prevent passing infection to their infants, Mozambican mothers with HIV are advised to follow biomedical norms during breastfeeding. However, little is yet known about how HIV-positive mothers perceive biomedical norms during the breastfeeding period.Objective: To analyse lactating mothers' perceptions and compliance with biomedical norms recommended for reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV via breastfeeding. Method:A qualitative study was carried out consisting of in-depth interviews with 59 HIV-positive lactating mothers. This involved 5 focus group discussions, direct observation and 6 semi-structured interviews with nurses. We used Bourdieu's theory of practice as a guiding framework for data analysis.Results: Findings revealed participants had mixed perceptions and inadequate knowledge about breast milk and exclusive breastfeeding. As well, participants struggled to comply with some biomedical norms. Approximately half of the participants breastfed immediately after childbirth. Most participants do breastfeed on demand and all participants complied with prescription regarding antiretroviral therapy for their infants. Of the 59 participants, 53 complied with prescription of antiretroviral therapy for themselves.A total of 56 participants did not comply with exclusive breastfeeding to the sixth month. This was due to a lack of knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding, the perception that both breast milk and formula were not enough to feed the baby up to the age of six months. Other factors included returning to school or work, illness of the mother and child, lack of disclosure of HIV status of the mother as well as social norms. Conclusion:The study results suggest participants' perceptions, incorporated learned experiences and the social environment they inhabit seem to influence compliance to biomedical norms. These norms seem new, and participants are still processing its incorporation. Health education on exclusive breastfeeding and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission should take into account the participant's perceptions and their social environment.

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‘Breast is best’: Infant feeding decisions and maternal deviance

Cited by 266 publications

References 4 publications

Socially sensitive lactation: Exploring the social context of breastfeeding

Socially sensitive lactation: Exploring the social context of breastfeeding

‘The best thing for the baby’: Mothers’ concepts and experiences related to promoting their infants’ health and development

Exploring Perceptions and Practices of Biomedical Norms during Exclusive Breastfeeding among HIV-Positive Lactating Mothers in Mozambique

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