ABSTRACT
In this chapter I discuss the critical theory perspective underpinning this book, the conduct of the ethnography, and I describe the hospital culture within which women commence their breastfeeding journey. I illustrate the hospital culture with some of my ethnographic observations and narratives of breastfeeding women and of midwives. This provides the context for the ensuing chapters in that I emphasise not only the medical nature of the experience for mothers but the ‘factory-like’ working conditions for midwives.
