Discursive constructions of breastfeeding in U.S. state laws

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Legal Studies

Background:

• Breastfeeding is shaped by public discourse, influencing attitudes, policies, and practices.
• Previous research has identified various discursive constructions of breastfeeding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze discursive constructions of breastfeeding in U.S. state laws regarding public breastfeeding.
• To identify patterns in language used across states and their legislative protections.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of U.S. state laws concerning breastfeeding in public.
• Categorization of laws based on the level of protection and regulation offered.

Main Results:

• Laws ranged from decriminalizing public breastfeeding to criminalizing interference.
• Least protective laws were found in Western/North-Central, Republican-leaning, less urban states.
• Most protective laws were in New England/North-Central, Democrat-leaning, more urban states.
• Regulative laws specified conditions for breastfeeding, often leading to lower breastfeeding rates.
• Least regulative laws were in Western states, correlating with higher breastfeeding rates.

Conclusions:

• Breastfeeding laws in U.S. states exhibit considerable variation in protective and regulatory language.
• Legislative approaches to public breastfeeding are associated with regional, political, and urbanicity factors.
• The language of breastfeeding laws may influence public breastfeeding practices and rates.