‘Milk Pride’: Lactivist Online Constructions of Positive Breastfeeding Value

Mecinska, Lula

doi:10.16995/sim.258

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…An overemphasis on pride in personal achievement raises the possibility of shame where there is perceived failure (Shepherd et al, 2017 ). Nonetheless, pride may be useful for asserting a collective identity as breastfeeding women (Mecinska, 2018 ), and it is worth unpacking the different meanings of ‘pride’, as some may be more helpful than others (Wubben et al, 2012 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self‐conscious emotions and breastfeeding support: A focused synthesis of UK qualitative research

Leeming

Marshall

Hinsliff

2021

Maternal & Child Nutrition

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Research on women's experiences of infant feeding and related moral discourse suggests that self‐conscious emotions may be highly relevant to breastfeeding support interactions. However, the emotional impact of receiving support has not been fully explored. The aim of this review is to re‐examine qualitative UK research on receiving breastfeeding support, in order to explore the role of self‐conscious emotions and related appraisals in interactions with professional and peer supporters. From 2007 to 2020, 34 studies met criteria for inclusion. Using template analysis to identify findings relevant to self‐conscious emotions, we focused on shame, guilt, embarrassment, humiliation and pride. Because of cultural aversion to direct discussion of self‐conscious emotions, the template also identified thoughts about self‐evaluation, perceptions of judgement and sense of exposure. Self‐conscious emotions were explicitly mentioned in 25 papers, and related concerns were noted in all papers. Through thematic synthesis, three themes were identified, which suggested that (i) breastfeeding ‘support’ could present challenges to mothering identity and hence to emotional well‐being; (ii) many women managed interactions in order to avoid or minimise uncomfortable self‐conscious emotions; and (iii) those providing support for breastfeeding could facilitate women's emotion work by validating their mothering, or undermine this by invalidation, contributing to feelings of embarrassment, guilt or humiliation. Those supporting breastfeeding need good emotional ‘antennae’ if they are to ensure they also support transition to motherhood. This is the first study explicitly examining self‐conscious emotions in breastfeeding support, and further research is needed to explore the emotional nuances of women's interactions with supporters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self‐conscious emotions and breastfeeding support: A focused synthesis of UK qualitative research

Leeming

Marshall

Hinsliff

2021

Maternal & Child Nutrition

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“…information about breastfeeding may also involve searching the group's 'docs' collated by members/admin, or using the built-in search tool ('spy glass'). Such knowledge elements are then put to different uses in a wider politico-cultural environment which prioritises individual responsibility for health (Mecinska 2018a). A fairly common practice, this way of creating own 'stores' of 'research' for easy dissemination resonates with studies on collating and circulating of health information more broadly (Nettleton et al 2004).…”

Section: In-group Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through the use of its toolsgroups, image and document sharing, searches, and private messaginglactivists are swiftly disseminating argumentation related to breastfeeding, which can be used to their advantage outside the groups. In this sense, the internal (support) and external (activist) functions of groups are inextricably linked, with the actions of the support group serving as a crucial space for creating awareness of the importance and value of breastfeeding (Mecinska 2018a) and further for lactivist mobilisation, to both Facebook-specific and 'spillover' actions. In order to understand the lactivist 'repertoire of contention' (Tarrow 2006), forms of joint and mass action performed on Facebook are considered, before moving to forms staged externally, which nevertheless remain connected to Facebook spaces.…”

Section: In-group Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Embodied Online Activism: Breastfeeding Activism (Lactivism) on Facebook

Mecinska¹

2018

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Online support communities for people with various health problems and related online activist groups have been the focus of scholarly attention for three decades. The arrival of social media increased the popularity and breadth of both phenomena. Breastfeeding online activism represents an interesting case in how it connects the (health) support and activist online presences of breastfeeding women. Furthermore, breastfeeding activism - or lactivism - is a form of embodied activism, often performed through breastfeeding. Stemming from over six years of observant participation in breastfeeding spaces online, this article traces the ways in which lactivists use Facebook to further their cause. From the creation of support groups, through the use of Facebook capabilities to organise action and create structures, to Facebook specific forms of mass action, including image flooding and negrating, I argue that the emergence of lactivism as we know it is intimately connected with, and through, the medium.

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‘Milk Pride’: Lactivist Online Constructions of Positive Breastfeeding Value

Cited by 2 publications

References 33 publications

Self‐conscious emotions and breastfeeding support: A focused synthesis of UK qualitative research

Self‐conscious emotions and breastfeeding support: A focused synthesis of UK qualitative research

Embodied Online Activism: Breastfeeding Activism (Lactivism) on Facebook

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