Breastfeeding Dilemma
Project contact:
Dr Fiona Woollard, Associate Professor, Philosophy, University of Southampton - F.Woollard@soton.ac.uk
Partners:
- National Childbirth Trust (NCT)
- La Leche League, Mumsnet, Midwives
Engagement activitity:
- Two-way Workshop in London with key stakeholders, NCT, La Leche League, Mumsnet, Midwives
- Memorandum of understanding agreeing a public engagement partnership with the NCT using project research in e.g. NCT antenatal and postnatal classes
- Talk to Public Engagement Network to disseminate learning about the process of forming a public engagement partnership
Project summary:
The aim of the project was to bring together academics, policy makers, medical professionals, parental support organisations, members of the media, mothers and members of the public to address the Breastfeeding Dilemma: how do we encourage breastfeeding and support women in doing so, without subjecting those who choose not to breastfeed, or are unable to do so, to shame and guilt with potentially devastating consequences? We explored philosophical mistakes in the way we talk and think about infant feeding choices and the impact pressure to breastfeed can have on maternal health and the experience of new motherhood.
Another goal of the project was to build relationships with the NCT and other relevant organisations eventually leading to a public engagement partnership.
Key outcomes:
- Breastfeeding Dilemma Workshop in London on the 23rd of March 2016, which included four short talks in the morning from Gillian Thomson (Community Health and Midwifery, UCLan) “Shame Associated with Infant Feeding”, Fiona Woollard, (Philosophy, Southampton), “Breastfeeding and Duty: Philosophical Mistakes about Motherhood in discussion of Infant Feeding Decisions.” Elselijn Kingma (Philosophy, Southampton), “Breastfeeding, Pressure, and Heather Trickey (Cardiff University, NCT), “Beyond ‘choice’ … how might an ecological perspective change the terms of the infant feeding debate?”. The afternoon was dedicated to whole group discussion, with a lively debate ensuing. The workshop was very well attended, with full registration and a waiting list. Attendees included academics, midwives, and practitioners from the NCT
- Established partnership with NCT and Brestfeeding Network (BFN). Invitation to write a piece for NCT Perspective and invitation to present at the BFN Annual Conference 2016
Lessons learned:
Networking activities could have extremely positive results, therefore:
- Go to as many events as possible
- Hold events of your own as invitations are a great way to make contact
- Talk to people at events and ensure you follow up afterwards
- Be active on social media. Follow people on twitter, retweet relevant material and get in touch to thank people who retweet your messages
What's next
(1) Colloboration with the BFN. In addition to the invitation to speak at the conference, Dr Woollard has secured funding from the SEC to hold another workshop “Breastfeeding and Ethics in Theory and Practice”. (2) Continued work with the NCT: writing an article for NCT 'Perspective on guilt and breastfeeding'. (3) production of a policy brief in conjunction with PSS and BPAS.