"Ibland kan ju blickarna säga en del" : En kvalitativ studie om amning i offentlig miljö

Sammanfattning: Previous research has shown that breastfeeding in public environment is not completely accepted, neither in Sweden nor internationally. Therefore, women feel restricted. Research indicates that the female body is sexualized and the woman is seen as an object. However, it is possible to change the norm concerning public breastfeeding, it’s done by people questioning, being educated about but also being exposed to breastfeeding. The aim of the study is to examine women's perceptions of breastfeeding in public space, their potential strategies and which societal changes they find are needed for safe breastfeeding in the public. This qualitative study is based on five semi-structured interviews with women who have experiences of breastfeeding in public environment. Thematic analysis method and abductive analytic strategy was used. The analysis is informed by feminist theories on gender and public space. The results indicate women’s perceived fear of receiving unwanted attention, gazes and insecurity. To be able to breastfeed in the public, the women created safety strategies such as covering up, planning and creating “an own private room”. The analysis shows that the women see both themselves and society as responsible for change and that normalization is required.