Patriarchy, Misogyny and Breastfeeding

About the Book

Breastfeeding is not rocket science! Breastfeeding rates continue to fall worldwide and are below recommended goals for optimum health. Susanna Scurry has lived breastfeeding as a mother, grandmother, midwife and lactation consultant for fifty years. Within this book she offers insights into why breastfeeding is not supported, beginning with the subjugation of women due to Australia’s history as a penal colony of the British empire. Susanna writes a compelling story of how the gender specific, altruistic work of women has evolved and been impacted by religion, politics and the capitalist economic model. Susanna offers research based practical ideas to support policy makers, health professionals and breastfeeding women.

About the Author

Susanna Irene Scurry qualified as a general nurse in 1971 and worked in Papua New Guinea after the birth of her first two children. It was in PNG that Susanna was inspired to become a midwife and lactation consultant and question the medical model of birth for all women. In 1980 Susanna became and midwife and in 2005 an International Board-Certified lactation consultant. In 2021 Susanna completed a Masters of Midwifery (Research) into the impact of the hospital postnatal ward environment on breastfeeding families. Susanna has worked with mothers and babies for 45 years, is a mother of five adult children and seven grandchildren. Susanna's book "Patriarchy, Misogyny and Breastfeeding" is a practical guide to supporting mothers on their breastfeeding journey while using anecdotes from her working life to give the reader an understanding of how to breast feed and why Australian breastfeeding rates are below the recommended World Health Organisation Sustainable Development Goal Targets for 2030. Susanna has travelled widely seeking different models of postnatal care in an endeavour to update and inform the infant feeding debate and support the nuclear families of 2024. During her long career Susanna has been challenged by the impact of the patriarchal and hierarchical structures within maternity hospitals and the impact of a Capitalist system which fails to recognise the unpaid work of women when caring for children and mothering. Susanna's book, "Patriarchy, misogyny and breastfeeding" is her first book.