Unintended Consequences of “Breast Is Best” Messaging on Mothers: An Autoethnography
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
7 March 2023
Abstract
Purpose: To describe the breastfeeding experiences of a dietitian and mother so as to expose dominant discourses reinforcing expert-driven imperatives to breastfeed.
Methods: Professional experiences and personal challenges related to breastfeeding promotion are described, analyzed, and interpreted using autoethnography. The social ecological model (SEM) is used as a sensitizing concept to guide the organization, presentation, and analysis of experiences.
Results: Data were organized into two discussion themes: breastfeeding promotion practices and “failure” to breastfeed. Dominant discourses reinforcing expert-driven imperatives to breastfeed are revealed, including health as a duty, intensive motherhood, and mother blame. Discourses promoting or reinforcing breastfeeding simultaneously judge and denormalize formula-feeding.
Conclusions: Contemporary breastfeeding promotion messages and strategies are quiet coercions used to influence infant-feeding decisions and do not support the principles of evidence-based practice, person-centred care, and informed choice.
Résumé
Objectif. Décrire l’expérience d’allaitement d’une mère diététiste afin de mettre au jour les discours dominants qui renforcent la pression d’allaiter qu’exercent les experts sur les mères.
Méthodes. Les expériences professionnelles et les défis personnels liés à la promotion de l’allaitement sont décrits, analysés et interprétés à l’aide de l’autoethnographie. Le modèle socio-écologique est utilisé comme concept de sensibilisation afin de guider l’organisation, la présentation et l’analyse des expériences.
Résultats. Les données ont été organisées en deux sujets de discussion : les pratiques de promotion de l’allaitement et le « refus » d’allaiter. Les discours dominants qui renforcent la pression d’allaiter qu’exercent les experts sur les mères sont révélés, notamment la santé comme un devoir, la maternité intensive et le blâme de la mère. Les discours promouvant ou renforçant l’allaitement maternel jugent simultanément l’allaitement artificiel et le dénormalisent.
Conclusions. Les stratégies et messages contemporains de promotion de l’allaitement sont des coercitions silencieuses utilisées pour influencer les décisions en matière d’alimentation des nourrissons et n’appuient pas les principes de la pratique reposant sur des données probantes, des soins centrés sur la personne et du choix éclairé.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 84 • Number 3 • September 2023
Pages: 124 - 133
Editor: Naomi Cahill
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Version of record online: 7 March 2023
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© 2023.
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JenniferHemeonRD, MScAHN, DeborahNorrisPhD, SarahStahlkePhD, and DaphneLordlyRD, DEd. 2023. Unintended Consequences of “Breast Is Best” Messaging on Mothers: An Autoethnography. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
84(3): 124-133. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2022-038
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