Breastfeeding across cultures: A social-constructionist view of differences in infant feeding norms between the United Kingdom and .Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2011

Abstract

Breastfeeding is established as an important influence upon infant and maternal health. Also, it has positive effects for both the economy and the environment.Major influential organizations all agree that mothers should exclusively breastfeed their infant up to six months of age as breast milk is optimal to meet the infant's nutritional needs. These organizations include, The World Health Organization (WHO), The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), The UK Department of Health (UK DoH) and HealthMinistries in the Middle East. The result of this study is concluded that there are several variables that can create the gap between the UK and KSA. Breastfeeding in the KSA is seen to be the norm whereas formula feeding an infant in the UK has taken to be the norm. This social construct has a vast impact on rates but also the knowledge and attitudes of Saudi mothers were more positive than British mothers.Both countries have historical religious influences and so religion was also an addition to these factors. Human lactation rates across the World are a complex issue influenced by many factors that are demographic, biological, social psychological and religions.