INFANT FEEDING IN THE MODERN WORLD: MEDICALIZATION AND THE MATERNAL BODY

While infant feeding is well-studied in health literature, sociology has not examined the social context of infant feeding thoroughly. This article discusses infant feeding practices in the theoretical contexts of medicalization and feminism. Mothers completed quantitative surveys before birthing an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sociological spectrum 2007-07, Vol.27 (4), p.405-438
Main Authors: Wallace, Lora Ebert, Chason, Holly
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breast Feeding
Feeding Practices
Feminism
Infants
Medicalization
Norms
Socioeconomic Status
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Summary:While infant feeding is well-studied in health literature, sociology has not examined the social context of infant feeding thoroughly. This article discusses infant feeding practices in the theoretical contexts of medicalization and feminism. Mothers completed quantitative surveys before birthing and qualitative interviews for one year following birth regarding infant feeding, family dynamics, work environment, social support, medical treatment, and body image. Data were examined for impacts of medicalization, socioeconomic status, and other factors on infant feeding behaviors. Findings support the association between socioeconomic status, medicalization, and infant feeding methods. Mothers described a classic "double-bind," with social settings and norms working against messages from medical authorities that "breast is best."
ISSN:0273-2173
1521-0707
DOI:10.1080/02732170701335046