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 Health
How Dr. Butler’s Background in Anthropology Led to Lactation Research
Dr. 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 interests
- The shift from historical research to qualitative and quantitative studies on infant feeding
- Why she chose to study breastfeeding, stress, and health inequities
How Stress Affects Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Outcomes
Dr. Butler discusses the complex relationship between stress and lactation, including:
- How chronic inflammation and stress biomarkers can impact milk production
- The social and economic barriers that make breastfeeding more difficult
- The role of social support in helping families meet their breastfeeding goals
Understanding Breastfeeding Disparities in Chicago
Structural Barriers to Breastfeeding Success
Margaret 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 support
- The impact of hospital closures on access to lactation care
- How police violence and neighborhood stressors correlate with higher rates of preterm birth
Why We Need More Community-Led Research
Dr. Butler highlights the importance of community engagement in research, including:
- How partnering with community organizations leads to better breastfeeding support
- The need for more diverse researchers in maternal and child health
- Why lived experiences should be centered in breastfeeding research
The Role of Authoritative Knowledge in Lactation
What Is Authoritative Knowledge?
Dr. Butler applies the concept of authoritative knowledge to lactation, explaining:
- How biomedical knowledge has become dominant in infant feeding practices
- Why social media and lived experiences are becoming new sources of breastfeeding information
- The risks of misinformation and the need to balance evidence-based guidance with real-life experiences
Where 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...
