by Alexandra Whittington
Abstract
Four scenarios of infant feeding offer strategic insights about American culture and social
patterns by generating implications for the future of the family, nutrition, consumers and gender roles.
The study involves careful examination of two critical uncertainties about the future of infant feeding:
the outcome of cultural tensions among American mothers, known as the “Mommy Wars” and the
fluctuating role of the American household as either “producer” or “consumer.” The scenarios
portray a range of alternative futures to address possible socio-cultural change in store and raise
awareness of the important role of breastfeeding to infant survival and human development.