Feeding babies, making mothers : infant feeding practices in St. John's, Newfoundland

Eisener, Amanda C. (2002) Feeding babies, making mothers : infant feeding practices in St. John's, Newfoundland. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (23MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

Breast feeding is promoted as the optimum infant feeding method for numerous reasons. How do we explain why not all new mothers in St. John's breast feed? Using examples collected during fieldwork in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1999, I argue that the historical, social, and cultural contexts of infant feeding must be examined in order to understand the experience of infant feeding in St. John's within the context of what has become a pro-breast feeding, anti formula feeding social environment. As well, I demonstrate connections between the promotion of a "breast feeding culture" and ideas about ‘good' mothering and 'good' parenting. In examining infant feeding practices from these perspectives, I argue that infant feeding is work that is accomplished alongside other day-to-day responsibilities.

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