Regional Variation in Public Opinion About Breastfeeding in the United States

Abstract

Because social and cultural norms are associated with women's breastfeeding behaviors, it is important to understand public opinions toward breastfeeding in the United States. Using data from the Healthstyles survey, the authors examined regional variations in (1) public knowledge about health benefits of breastfeeding, (2) public attitudes toward breastfeeding in public, (3) public support for workplace breastfeeding policies, and (4) public perceptions about breastfeeding duration. Pacific, West South Central, West North Central, and Mountain respondents were the most knowledgeable about the health benefits of breastfeeding. Mountain, New England, and Pacific respondents exhibited the most positive attitudes about breastfeeding in public. Mountain and Pacific respondents showed the strongest support for workplace breastfeeding policies. Pacific, Mountain, and East North Central respondents displayed the most positive perceptions about breastfeeding duration. This study emphasizes the need to learn from the best regions and apply subsequent findings to those regions having less positive public opinions and low breastfeeding rates.

‘As good as chocolate’ and ‘better than ice cream’: how toddler, and older, breastfeeders experience breastfeeding

“…The sexualisation of breasts has resulted in many, including children, believing that breastfeeding is an activity to be performed only in private (Russell, Richards, Jones, & Hoddinott, 2004;Stearns, 1999). The resultant stigma associated with breastfeeding in public remains a significant barrier to women successfully breastfeeding (Hannan et al, 2005;Li et al, 2004). It is likely that the breastfeeders in this study will assimilate the dominant culture's sexualisation of breasts as they grow but perhaps they will also retain an acceptance of the nurturing role of breasts and carry this into adulthood and parenting.…”

“…Unfortunately, this lack of understanding has resulted in long-term breastfeeding being stigmatised and created a climate wherein delaying weaning is culturally unacceptable. For instance, a recent study in the USA found that 52-69% of respondents believed it inappropriate for one-year-old children to breastfeed (Hannan, Li, Benton-Davis, & Grummer-Strawn, 2005). This is in spite of anthropologic, historic and medical research that supports the normality of breastfeeding for up to at least seven years (Dettwyler, 1995b;Kennedy, 2005;Moffat, 2001;Sellen, 2001;StuartMacadam, 1995).…”

Breast is Best…But Not Everywhere: Ambivalent Sexism and Attitudes Toward Private and Public Breastfeeding

“…Although context is often interpreted as immediate family environment, this may be broadened to include the greater societal context. Indeed, survey evidence indicates that social and cultural norms produce considerable geographical variation in breast feeding rates across the United States (Hannan et al 2005). Morse …”

Community Attitudes toward Breastfeeding in Public Places among Western Australia Adults, 1995-2009

“…7 Boyer reported that discomfort with breastfeeding in public is a major factor in shaping infant feeding choice and posited that a solution to this may be to increase advocacy for breastfeeding in the public arena. 9 To develop effective public breastfeeding policy, it would be useful to also measure population perceptions of acceptability of breastfeeding in specific public venues. 9 To develop effective public breastfeeding policy, it would be useful to also measure population perceptions of acceptability of breastfeeding in specific public venues.…”