Breast feeding is best learnt by example

Rates of breast feeding in Britain have changed little since 1980 despite many promotional efforts. On p 30 Hoddinott and Pill report on a qualitative study that explored how first time mothers decide whether to initiate breast feeding. They showed that exposure to breast feeding before pregnancy is important. Women who have seen a relative or friend breast feeding as part of their daily lives are more likely to be committed to breast feeding and confident in their ability to succeed. In contrast, women who have never seen breast feeding, or have seen it only at a distance performed by a stranger are more likely to hold negative views and lack confidence in their own ability to breast feed. Breast feeding is both a practical skill and a performing art which is best learnt through apprenticeship in this case to a breastfeeding mother.


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Relevant Article

Qualitative study of decisions about infant feeding among women in east end of London

Pat Hoddinott and Roisin Pill
BMJ 1999 318: 30-34. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]