Giving Voice to Women: Social Representations and Experiences of Breastfeeding

Abstract

Breastfeeding is a central issue in research from a gender perspective. We consider breastfeeding as a biopsychosocial, diverse and plural process, which generates ambivalent experiences in mothers. Our research was aimed to increase the understanding of thoughts and experiences of mothers. Ten women, primiparous and non-primiparous mother, were interviewed at two moments in time. The results showed that the breastfeeding period was shorter than the time recommended by health organizations, the reasons to breastfeed were related to the well-being of their children and women´s social support came from their partners.Breastfeeding is a central issue in research from a gender perspective. We consider breastfeeding as a biopsychosocial, diverse and plural process, which generates ambivalent experiences in mothers. Our research was aimed to increase the understanding of thoughts and experiences of mothers. Ten women, primiparous and non-primiparous mother, were interviewed at two moments in time. The results showed that the breastfeeding period was shorter than the time recommended by health organizations, the reasons to breastfeed were related to the well-being of their children and women´s social support came from their partners