Many parents in Global North countries identify breastfeeding outside of the home as a particular challenge, and this can lead to stopping breastfeeding earlier than intended. However, there are often legal protections available. In order to better understand this complicated landscape, I will present a summary of the 71 research studies published on this between 2007-2021. Current barriers to mothers being able to breastfeed in public spaces will be described in relation to the legal system, structural inequality and intersectionality, knowledge leading to incorrect beliefs among the public, and a hostile social environment. Within this context it is completely rational for parents to feel a range of negative responses, which lead to them feeling unsafe to breastfeed. Building on this evidence, I present a range of ways in which you may be able to have a positive impact on the environment around the mothers you support.
Learning Objectives:
1. Define 2 examples of systemic barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding in public
2. Describe the knowledge and social attitudes within society which influence strangers' reactions to breastfeeding in public
3. Identify supportive strategies that breastfeeding supporters can use to support people to more comfortably breastfeed in public
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