The Politics of Breastfeeding: When Breasts Are Bad for Business Review

The Politics of Breastfeeding: 

When Breasts Are Bad for Business

by Gabrielle Palmer

When I first discovered this book, I was taking a business ethics course at university and it was long before I decided to study lactation medicine.

We had been learning about the Nestle marketing Africa as an example of what not to do. This had become the basis for the Boycott Nestle articles around the world and I wanted to learn more so I asked the professor and they recommended I read this to start.

I would say this is book completely changed my life and what I was doing to do as a career. I switched from business studies to lactation medicine and became an IBCLC and haven't looked back since.

Gabrielle Palmer offers a compelling and eye-opening analysis of the socio-economic and cultural forces that shape our perceptions and practices around breastfeeding. This book delves into the often hidden influences that commercial interests and societal norms exert on something as natural as breastfeeding.

At its core, the book is an exploration of how breastfeeding has been marginalized and commercialized in various parts of the world. It tackles a range of issues, from the aggressive marketing tactics of formula companies to the lack of supportive workplace policies for nursing mothers. The book doesn't just point out the problems but also provides actionable solutions and calls for a reevaluation of existing social and healthcare systems.

While the book is comprehensive and engaging, some readers may find it dense at times. The sheer amount of information can be overwhelming, and the writing style, although articulate, leans toward the academic.

Final Thoughts

The Politics of Breastfeeding: When Breasts Are Bad for Business is a must-read for anyone interested in maternal and child health, social justice, or consumer advocacy. It changes the way you look at the act of breastfeeding, shifting the lens from individual choice to collective responsibility. 

This book empowers its readers to be more informed, conscious citizens, and advocates for change and everyone I know who I have leant it to can't believe what has happened around the world when it comes to feeding babies.

Let me know what you think!

Jacqui

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