(Auto)ethnography of Breastfeeding in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This article takes an autoethnographic perspective to examine women’s experiences of breastfeeding in Northern Ireland (NI). It focuses on how social and cultural attitudes inform the practices of breastfeeding. The article draws on the feminist perspectives on breastfeeding that point to women’s agency and autonomy over their bodies. It explores how breastfeeding fits into the culture of risk society and attempts to minimize the risks associated with breastfeeding by health professionals in NI. The article then discusses the questions of breastfeeding in public and extended breastfeeding in social/cultural and religious context of NI, also raising the questions of ethnic backgrounds and social class as a factor contributing to mothers’ decisions whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed their babies. Finally, the author focuses on resistance to the hegemonic discourse encouraging formula feeding in NI society. The article analyses counternarratives to the dominant narratives of how to nurse children, pointing to mothers’ agency and a sense of empowerment.