Print media coverage of breastfeeding in Great Britain

Positive or negative

Bibliographic Data

ID15535532
AuthorsRowena Merritt (0000-0001-7767-0991, University of Kent, corresponding author), Tamsyn Eida (0000-0002-8876-8051, University of Kent), Cara B Safon (0000-0001-6183-7750, MCPHS University), Sally Kendall (0000-0002-3627-827X, University of Kent)
Year2022
Volume19
IssueS1
Pagese13458-e13458
Publication date2022-11-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.13458
PMID36424710
OpenAlexW4310054409
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited18

Media can be a powerful communication tool to promote breastfeeding, influence mothers' breastfeeding behaviour, create positive social norms and generate support among stakeholders and policymakers for breastfeeding. However, negative stories could deter women from starting or continuing to breastfeed. This study aimed to describe the breadth and focus of the media coverage of breastfeeding and the message frames that are found in three of the most widely read national newspapers and three popular women's magazines in Great Britain over a 12-month period, as part of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly in Great Britain (BBF-GB) study. For this retrospective media analysis, 77 articles were identified and 42 were included in the study for coding and analysis. We conducted two content analyses to examine the articles' (1) message framing and (2) alignment with the eight components of an 'enabling breastfeeding environment' using the BBF Gear framework. Articles featuring breastfeeding appear in British newspapers and women's magazines all year round. Twenty-four per cent had a neutral tone, while 59% predominantly focused on the positive aspects or positive social support for breastfeeding, and 17% were predominantly focused on the negative aspects or negative social attitudes towards breastfeeding. The articles mainly focused on personal stories reflecting societal barriers and positive shifts (68%), with 12% presenting an analysis of breastfeeding evidence or barriers. There were fewer references to the legislation (5%) and availability of funding (2%) and support (9%). There was no coverage of national coordination and strategy, evaluation systems, or the political will to raise breastfeeding rates

Breastfeeding · Content analysis · Family medicine · Focus group · Framing (construction · Legislation · Newspaper · Political science · Politics · Print media · Social media · Social science · Sociology · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · History · Law · Medicine · Pediatrics

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Open DOIOpen Access