Applying authoritative knowledge to better understand preparation for breastfeeding
Margaret S Butler1,2, Sera L Young1,3, Lauren Keenan-Devlin4,5
1Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States.
Frontiers in Global Women'S Health
|April 15, 2025
Summary
Birthing individuals preparing for breastfeeding value health care provider information most, but find social networks more accessible for experiential details. Improving online access to reliable breastfeeding information is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive anthropology
- Sociology of health
- Infant feeding studies
Background:
- Authoritative knowledge construct applied to pregnancy and childbirth.
- Limited application of authoritative knowledge to postpartum infant feeding.
- Need to understand information acquisition for breastfeeding preparation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize information sources used by birthing individuals for breastfeeding preparation.
- Analyze the acquisition and valuation of these information sources.
- Apply the authoritative knowledge construct to infant feeding.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study with 25 participants in Chicagoland, Illinois.
- Interviews conducted between November 2020 and March 2021.
- Audio-recorded interviews coded using thematic analysis for information domains: biomedical, social network, lived experience.
Main Results:
- All participants accessed biomedical and social network information.
- Participants with prior experience utilized lived experience (personal) information.
- Health care providers were most valued, but social networks offered greater accessibility and experiential content.
Conclusions:
- Biomedical sources are consistently cited as most accurate for infant feeding.
- Barriers exist in accessing prenatal breastfeeding information (e.g., short appointments).
- Online platforms offer potential for improved access to evidence-based breastfeeding information, but quality varies.
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