The Portrayal of Breastfeeding in Literature

Description

This cross-cultural study analyses images and descriptions of breasts and breastfeeding in children's books and literature for adults, in both English and Swedish. It explores how the feeding of infants is depicted in literature in the two languages and discusses why there are differences and how this might reflect the cultures. Literary, feminist, anthropological, sociological, historical, and cultural research is employed to support the analysis and to suggest explanations for the differing depictions.

B.J. Woodstein is a senior lecturer in literature and translation, as well as a writer, editor, Swedish-to-English translator, doula and breastfeeding counsellor.

"A thought provoking book exploring how the interconnected aspects of society and imagery shape how we feel about women's bodies and the biologically normal act of breastfeeding."-Dr Amy Brown, Swansea University, UK "An exploration of how breastfeeding is conveyed in literature is a fascinating insight into how a culture values and understands this key part of human life. B.J. Woodstein is the perfect person for the task. Her knowledge of literature, and specifically children's literature, and her ability to compare the literature of Sweden and the UK (two countries with very different attitudes to breastfeeding) is ideal. It is an ambitious task, and it requires the intersection of several disciplines, and her work is successful and illuminating. Her personal experience as a breastfeeding mother and a breastfeeding supporter adds depth to her perspective. As Woodstein writes, "It is time to rewrite the narrative regarding breasts and breastfeeding in our society." By helping us to understand the narratives that are already out there, she has made a valuable contribution." - Emma Pickett, IBCLC (lactation consultant) and chair of the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers "This is an important and timely book which explores and compares the representation of breastfeeding in children's books and fiction for adults in both English and Swedish literature, including bestselling novels by Emma Donoghue and Kate Atkinson. Woodstein shows persuasively that the widespread shame around and negative perception of breastfeeding prevalent in British society is mirrored in contemporary literature; she argues for more diversity and positivity in fictional representations of breastfeeding in order to help normalize the practice for real-world parents." - Dr Muireann Maguire, University of Exeter, UK