Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Breastfeeding throughout legal separation: women's experiences of the Australian family law system

journal contribution
posted on 2010-11-01, 00:00 authored by Linda SweetLinda Sweet
In 2006, the Australian Government introduced the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006 (Cth), which put in place a legal presumption of shared parental responsibility for children after separation and which emphasizes ĝ€equal-timeĝ€ parenting arrangements regardless of the childs age. A qualitative approach was taken to investigate breastfeeding womens experiences of the implementation of the act and its impact on their ability to maintain breastfeeding. Fifteen women responded to questions related to their breastfeeding and their engagement with the family law system. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed, and data were then analyzed thematically. These women experienced inconsistent advice from all facets of legal services, including opinions about the inappropriateness of breastfeeding for infants over 6 months of age. Breastfeeding was considered only as nutrition, without recognition of its immunological and cognitive benefits and the security and comfort it provides. Many participant women felt that they had been persuaded against discussing breastfeeding in the legal system, resulting in a sense of disempowerment.

History

Journal

Journal of human lactation

Volume

26

Pagination

384-392

Location

London, Eng.

ISSN

0890-3344

eISSN

1552-5732

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2010, International Lactation Consultant Association

Issue

4

Publisher

Sage

Usage metrics

    Research Publications

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC