Understanding Breastfeeding, Stress, and Health Equity with Dr. Maggie Butler

In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Dr. Maggie Butler, a Maternal & Child Health Researcher, Biocultural Anthropologist, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Illinois Chicago’s School of Public Health. They dive into Dr. Butler’s research on stress, breastfeeding disparities, and the role of authoritative knowledge in lactation care.Dr. Butler shares insights on how systemic barriers, social determinants, and lived experiences shape infant feeding outcomes, and why interdisciplinary research is crucial for improving breastfeeding support.Breastfeeding, Stress, and Maternal HealthHow Dr. Butler’s Background in Anthropology Led to Lactation ResearchDr. Butler shares her journey from studying bioarchaeology and skeletal remains to focusing on maternal health and lactation. She explains:How structural violence in medical history shaped her research interestsThe shift from historical research to qualitative and quantitative studies on infant feedingWhy she chose to study breastfeeding, stress, and health inequitiesHow Stress Affects Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding OutcomesDr. Butler discusses the complex relationship between stress and lactation, including:How chronic inflammation and stress biomarkers can impact milk productionThe social and economic barriers that make breastfeeding more difficultThe role of social support in helping families meet their breastfeeding goalsUnderstanding Breastfeeding Disparities in ChicagoStructural Barriers to Breastfeeding SuccessMargaret and Dr. Butler explore Chicago’s racial health disparities and their impact on breastfeeding, covering:How maternity care deserts on the South and West Sides limit lactation supportThe impact of hospital closures on access to lactation careHow police violence and neighborhood stressors correlate with higher rates of preterm birthWhy We Need More Community-Led ResearchDr. Butler highlights the importance of community engagement in research, including:How partnering with community organizations leads to better breastfeeding supportThe need for more diverse researchers in maternal and child healthWhy lived experiences should be centered in breastfeeding researchThe Role of Authoritative Knowledge in LactationWhat Is Authoritative Knowledge?Dr. Butler applies the concept of authoritative knowledge to lactation, explaining:How biomedical knowledge has become dominant in infant feeding practicesWhy social media and lived experiences are becoming new sources of breastfeeding informationThe risks of misinformation and the need to balance evidence-based guidance with real-life experiencesWhere Do Parents Get Their Breastfeeding Information?Dr. Butler’s research categorizes three key sources of lactation knowledge:✔️ Biomedical Knowledge – Information from healthcare providers and research-based sources✔️ Social Network Knowledge – Advice from family, friends, online forums, and social media✔️ Lived Experience...

There are no comments yet.

Please log in to write the first comment.