“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t” : Canadian-born and immigrant mothers’ experiences and perceptions of infant feeding in contemporary Nova Scotia

Abstract

Following is an exploratory study of Nova Scotian women’s infant feeding experiences based on data gathered from two focus groups – one with Canadian-born mothers and one with mothers who had migrated to Canada in early adulthood. An intersectional approach grounded in feminist and critical theories is used to explore how immigrant and Canadian-born mothers perceive the influence of socio-cultural factors on decisions around feeding their babies. The purpose of the research is to explore how mothers’ personal experiences provide context for the shared and individualized aspects of mothering, specifically infant feeding, and to demonstrate the value of women’s stories and personal experiences in understanding the nuanced environment in which infant care and feeding practices currently exist. Descriptive analysis of each focus group discussion allows for the contrast and comparison of references to practices, beliefs, and values that emerge.