Metaphors for Breastfeeding in Public: A Phenomenological Study

Breastfeeding is a fundamental human right, and every child should benefit from this right during the period recommended by international organizations. Due to its numerous health benefits, it is of paramount importance to provide women with the necessary environment to support, maintain, and facilitate breastfeeding. However, breastfeeding, particularly in public places, can face social limitations. In Turkey, literature on breastfeeding in public, which represents a distinct dimension of the breastfeeding experience, is limited. This study adopted a phenomenological design, which is a qualitative research method. Data were collected via an online form that included socio-demographic information and questions about breastfeeding. Participants were asked to complete the sentence: “Breastfeeding in public is like ……… because ………”. The study sample consisted of 190 participants, 142 of whom (74.7%) completed the metaphor sentence. Data were analyzed through content analysis using MAXQDA version 20. The mean age of the participants was 34.78±9.68 years; 78.2% were women, 71.8% were married, and 88.7% held a bachelor's degree or higher. The metaphors generated by participants were categorized into 12 themes: “first aid-emergency,” “physiological need,” “natural activity,” “torment,” “right-strength,” “sin,” “sexuality,” “social requirement-imperative,” “being spied on,” “social norms-taboo,” “peace-happiness,” and “intimacy.” The wide range of metaphors reflects both supportive and opposing views on breastfeeding in public. These perspectives are thought to be shaped by sociocultural factors.