Morgan Gallagher <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I'm looking for some cites, internet cites, on the statistics on social
> pressure for women to wean.  Either as part of a bundle on why 
> breastfeeding tails off so fast, or separate.  Anything on social 
> pressure that stopped breastfeeding in the first place, especially on
> young mothers, would be a bonus.
> 
> Doesn't matter the source country, but some for UK/Europe would be 
> nice.  :-) 

There are some Australian data here:

<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]
0F802CA256DA40003A07C?OpenDocument>

The main reasons listed are:

Not producing any milk or inadequate amount of milk
Felt it was time to stop
Other problems with breastfeeding (eg cracked nipples)
Resumed work
Child bored
Teething
Pregnant

However it is important to note that these are self-reported
perceptions, and are unlikely to fully reflect the reality of women's
situations - especially since none of these "reasons" are absolute
contraindications to breastfeeding. I think this offers a glimpse not
directly into social influences - but into the ways in which we tend to
rationalise them as unavoidable individual factors, rather than seeing
themselves as being profoundly affected by structural pressures and
inequalities.

There are more data here (check through the references also):

<http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/189_05_010908/ami11480_fm.html>


However, I think that these types of documents put far too much emphasis
into glib pronouncements that we need more "education" of mothers, at
the expense of looking at all the other social, economic, and prejudice
factors at play.

Some of the submissions into the House Standing Committee on Health and
Ageing's Inquiry into Breastfeeding may be useful.

<http://www.aph.gov.au/HOUSE/committee/haa/breastfeeding/index.htm>

Are you looking only for academic cites? If you'd like some messier
primary sources, drop me an email.

Lara Hopkins

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