Feeding On the Web: Online Social Support in the Breastfeeding Context

Higher Facebook use predicts greater body image dissatisfaction during pregnancy: The role of self-comparison

“…The limited research conducted on Facebook use amongst new mothers after birth suggests that they may turn to Facebook for advice (Gray, 2013) and social support (Holtz et al 2015) but that increased use is associated with parenting stress (Bartholomew et al 2012). The direction of this relationship is unknown but potentially social comparisons play a role.…”

Enhancing Breastfeeding Rates Among African American Women: A Systematic Review of Current Psychosocial Interventions

“…138,139 Furthermore, interest in print and television-based breastfeeding information is increasingly refocused now on the Internet and social media sources as preferred sources of breastfeeding communication and support. 138,140,141 We can be certain that mothers will increasingly seek out the Internet and social media as one of their primary sources of breastfeeding information and advice, 89 especially as mothers often perceive these as essential sources of emotional and social support-the precursors to building critical breastfeeding self-efficacy. 141 In addition to providing vital information, online support may help supplement existing inperson efforts by strengthening the critical sense of community that is particularly important for African American mothers who experience excess stress as a barrier to breastfeeding.…”

“…138,140,141 We can be certain that mothers will increasingly seek out the Internet and social media as one of their primary sources of breastfeeding information and advice, 89 especially as mothers often perceive these as essential sources of emotional and social support-the precursors to building critical breastfeeding self-efficacy. 141 In addition to providing vital information, online support may help supplement existing inperson efforts by strengthening the critical sense of community that is particularly important for African American mothers who experience excess stress as a barrier to breastfeeding. Moreover, an online breastfeeding community might help offset negative associations of breastfeeding based on historical exploitative experiences.…”

The mediation of childbirth: ‘Joyful’ birthing and strategies of silencing on a Facebook discussion group

“…She converges discourses of intensive motherhood and mothering ideologies to analyse mothers' discussions and points outs that mothers re-work and resist the good mother ideal while being conscious of how all these ideals are increasingly mediated (see also Cheresheva's 2015 study on online narratives of infant feeding in Hungary and Bulgaria; Pedersen andLupton, 2016 andGray, 2013). Chen (2013) offers a critique of mothers blogging, from a techno-feminist perspective which is reminiscent of the wider public derision around women's forums and women's online talk that can be traced back to the historical derision towards romance novels for example (Hobson, 1982;Brundson, 1981;Radway, 1984).…”