The Ethics of Breast-Feeding: A Feminist Theological Exploration

Recent years have seen increased feminist scholarship on breastfeeding and infant feeding, which has sometimes acknowledged the importance of religious discourse and symbolism in shaping attitudes to infant feeding. Muers examines the parallels between contemporary discourses of “total motherhood” and earlier Christian texts advocating breast-feeding. She then argues that feminist theological ethicists should engage with accounts of breast-feeding that, on the one hand, acknowledge the complexities of and the constraints on maternal agency in relation to infant feeding and, on the other hand, recognize breast-feeding as a significant human good. Finally, Muers explores resources from Christian scripture and theological tradition that contribute to a nuanced rereading of infant feeding from a feminist perspective.