Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology
Crystal Cooper, PhD, IBCLC
Crystal Cooper
St. Charles, Missouri, United States
I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: The notion that women’s bodies are inadequate and likely to fail are communicated directly as well as through medical policies and procedures and symbolic actions. Meanwhile, lactating patients continue to struggle to get the breastfeeding/chestfeeding support that they need. My ethnographic research examined how lactation consultants in Hawai‘i confronted dominant concepts that negatively impact breastfeeding/chestfeeding, and helped clients who were having difficulties. Data was collected over 2.5 years through participant observation at La Leche League meetings, with 7 lactation consultants and their clients, IBCLC training with 4 of the lactation consultants, and in-depth interviews of 8 lactation consultants and 15 clients. The research uncovers the concepts of lactating parents and how those influenced how they made decisions and attempted to learn how to breastfeed. It provides insights into how lactation consultants can help lactating parents form new concepts for positive embodied experiences and facilitate successful breastfeeding/chestfeeding.
Publication: This material has been published as a dissertation in The University of Hawai‘i Scholar Space and Proquest.
Diversity and Inclusion: The language used in this presentation will be inclusive of varying sexual orientations, gender identities, and family structures. It references experiences with various ethnic and social groups in Hawai‘i, where the research was located.
Disclosures: Presenter(s) indicated no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Lead Author: Crystal R. Cooper, PhD, IBCLC – Crystal Cooper
Lead Author: Crystal R. Cooper, PhD, IBCLC – Crystal Cooper
Lead Author: Crystal R. Cooper, PhD, IBCLC – Crystal Cooper
Lead Author: Crystal R. Cooper, PhD, IBCLC – Crystal Cooper
Lead Author: Crystal R. Cooper, PhD, IBCLC – Crystal Cooper