I have always been interested in data suggesting breastfeeding in different social classes.
Particularly in the UK it is more common for women in higher social classes to breastfeed than lower social classes.
Breastfeeding is free and is always the best for babies. Hence, breastfeeding is of interest to any mother, but more so to a mother of a lower social class, as it saves money and time used up in preparing formula milk.
Therefore, I would like to investigate what deters a mother from a lower social class from breastfeeding.
I would compare the various variables of a mother from a lower social class, to that of a higher social class, by looking at factors such as maternal education, occupation, age, in addition to the social pressures and stigma that may be associated with breastfeeding.
I would use interviews to gain experiences and opinions of various mothers. Perhaps those who attend baby clinics or 'sure start' groups.
I would ask:
Closed questions such as:
Do you breastfeed or use formula milk?
How often do you find you need to feed?
At what times do you feed?
What is you occupation/what qualifications do you have?
Do you know how you were fed as an infant?
Open questions:
Why do you prefer your chosen feeding method?
How much do you understand about your feeding method? (i.e. why is it good for your child)
What factors influenced your choosen a feeding method? (information leaflets, GP, experience, other mothers)
What is the prefered method of feeding by other mothers that you know, and what age group are these mothers in?
Why did you choose not to breastfeed/bottle feed?
How do you feel about other mothers breastfeeding in public?
How do you feel about the method of feeding you have decided not to use?
I have tried to not offend mothers when phrasing my questions, by avoiding suggesting that breastfeeding is superior to formula feeding, or by making them feel inadequate as a parent due to their choice of feeding.
