Breastfeeding as a socio-cultural practice: dimensions and research orientations in the Vietnamese context

Abstract

Abstract: This paper approaches the practice of breastfeeding as a socio-cultural phenomenon that reflects the interaction between different factors from the individual, community, and social levels. Based on a synthesis of international and Vietnamese studies, it argues that most existing research is still focused on biomedical and behavioral aspects, while the cultural, gendered and structural dimensions of this practice have received limited attention. By integrating the reproductive anthropology of birth approach with the socio-ecological model, the paper proposes an analytical framework that explains how women negotiate among factors at different levels in breastfeeding practices, thereby reaffirming their agency in nurturing and childcare. This approach offers new directions for research that contributes to improving maternal and child health, particularly in Vietnam’s multi-ethnic and multicultural context.