Breastwork: Rethinking Breastfeeding
Alison Bartlett
2005
This academic yet accessible book takes a feminist lens to breastfeeding, exploring how cultural narratives, politics, and personal experience shape our understanding of the breastfeeding body. Bartlett weaves together theory, history, and lived experience to examine how breastfeeding is framed within society and how this impacts mothers.
Why It’s Included
This title is included for its thought-provoking analysis of breastfeeding beyond biology. It challenges dominant assumptions and explores how societal expectations influence how breastfeeding is perceived and practiced. For our community, it invites deeper reflection on how breastfeeding intersects with identity, power, and autonomy.
Who It’s For
Best suited for readers interested in feminist theory, sociology, or cultural studies—particularly those working in birth, breastfeeding advocacy, or women’s health. Also valuable for parents looking to understand why their feeding experiences may feel so politically and emotionally charged.
Further Reading
Unbuttoned – Maureen Connolly & Dana Sullivan
Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History – Florence Williams
