The Experience of Mothers in the First Six Months of Breastfeeding: A Qualitative Study

International Journal of Nursing and Health Science
© 2022 by SSRG - IJNHS Journal
Volume 8 Issue 3
Year of Publication : 2022
Authors : Jenna Del Sordo, Emma Stanek-Chu, Christopher Sean Stevens, Summer Pillsbury, Carmen V. Harrison
pdf
How to Cite?

Jenna Del Sordo, Emma Stanek-Chu, Christopher Sean Stevens, Summer Pillsbury, Carmen V. Harrison, "The Experience of Mothers in the First Six Months of Breastfeeding: A Qualitative Study," SSRG International Journal of Nursing and Health Science, vol. 8,  no. 3, pp. 1-6, 2022. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/24547484/IJNHS-V8I3P101

Abstract:

Prominent health organizations support exclusive infant breastfeeding during the first six months. Although maternal and infant benefits of breastfeeding are vast, breastfeeding goals are not being met. Understanding the early experiences of breastfeeding women can help identify resources to address subpar breastfeeding rates. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of breastfeeding women in the first six months after giving birth. A qualitative research design was utilized. A convenience sample of women who gave birth to full-term infants within the last six months and exclusively breastfeeding at the time of discharge was included in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. After analyzing the interview data, four themes emerged: (1) Peer and family support increased breastfeeding; (2) Partner support increased breastfeeding; (3) Lack of education by health care professionals was a breastfeeding barrier, and (4) Lack of designated breastfeeding locations at work was a breastfeeding barrier. Identifying early factors that facilitate and hinder breastfeeding is crucial to help enhance women's breastfeeding experience. It may assist in increasing breastfeeding rates, thereby improving the lives of women, infants, families, and communities across the globe.

Keywords:

Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding barriers, Breastfeeding resources, Qualitative.

References:

[1] The CDC Website, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/facts.html
[2] Gonzalez, Darias, G. Gomez, D. Martin, R. Perez, H. Jaime, A., “Supporting a First-Time Mother: Assessment of Success of a Breastfeeding Promotion Program,” Midwifery, vol. 85, no. 2, pp. e54-e62, 2021.
[3] Needels, M. S., “Education is Key for Increasing Breastfeeding Duration among Working Mothers,” Clinical Lactation, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 121–126, 2019.
[4] Reat, A. Matthews, K. J. Carver, A. E. Perez, C. A. Stagg, J. Byrd-Williams, C. E., “Support for Breastfeeding Employees: Assessing Statewide Worksite Lactation Support Recognition Initiatives in the United States,” Journal of Human Lactation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 328–336, 2020.
[5] Narulita, S. Yuria, M. Istianah, I., “Body Mass Index and Anxiety in Postpartum Period,” Malahayati International Journal of Nursing and Health Science, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 42-46, 2018.
[6] Cohen, S.S. Alexander, D.D. Krebs, N.F. Young, B.E. Cabana, M.D. Erdmann, P. Hays, N.P. Bezold, C.P. Levin Sparengerg, E. Turini, M. Saavedra, J.M., “Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Initiation and Continuation: A Meta-Analysis,” The Journal of Pediatrics, vol. 203, pp. 190-196, 2018.
[7] Gray, K.D. Hannon, E.A. Erickson, E. Stewart, A.B. Wood, C.T. Fisher, K. Shaikh, S.K., Tanaka, D., “Influence of Early Lactation Assistance on Inpatient Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates,” Journal of Human Lactation, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 556-565, 2021.
[8] Huang, P. Yao, J. Liu, X. Luo, B., “Individualized Intervention to Improve Rates of Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” Medicine, vol. 98, no. 47, pp. e17822. 2019.
[9] Ericson, J. Flacking, R. Udo, C., “Mothers’ Experiences of a Telephone Based Breastfeeding Support Intervention after Discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Mixed-Method Study,” International Breastfeeding Journal, vol. 12, no. 50, 2017.
[10] Darias, G. Gomez, D. Martin, R. Perez, H. Jaime, A., “Supporting a First-Time Mother: Assessment of Success of a Breastfeeding Promotion Program,” Midwifery, vol. 85, 2020.
[11] Moon, H. Woo, K., “An Integrative Review on Mothers’ Experiences of Online Breastfeeding Peer Support: Motivations, Attributes and Effects,” Maternal & Child Nutrition, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 1–21, 2021.
[12] Kim, J. H. Shin, J. C. Donovan, S. M., “Effectiveness of Workplace Lactation Interventions on Breastfeeding Outcomes in the United States: An Updated Systematic Review,” Journal of Human Lactation, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 100–113, 2018.
[13] Zhuang, J. Bresnahan, M. J. Yan, X. Zhu, Y. Goldbort, J. Bogdan-Lovis, E., “Keep doing the Good Work: Impact of Co-worker and Community Support on Continuation of Breastfeeding,” Health Communication, vol. 34, no. 11, pp. 1270–1278, 2018.
[14] Leng, R. N. Shorey, S. Yin, S. L. Chan, C. P. He, H.-G., “Fathers’ Involvement in Their Wives’/Partners’ Breastfeeding: A Descriptive Correlational Study,” Journal of Human Lactation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 801–812, 2019.
[15] Wang, S. Guendelman, S. Harley, K. Eskenazi, B., “When Fathers are Perceived to Share in the Maternal Decision to Breastfeed: Outcomes from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II,” Maternal and Child Health Journal, vol. 22, no. 11, pp. 1676-1684, 2018.
[16] Lauer, E. A. Armenti, K. Henning, M. Sirois, L., “Identifying Barriers and Supports to Breastfeeding in the Workplace Experienced by Mothers in the New Hampshire Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Utilizing the Total Worker Health Framework,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 529.
[17] McCardel, R. E. Padilla, H. M., “Assessing Workplace Breastfeeding Support among Working Mothers in the United States,” Workplace Health & Safety, vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 182–189, 2020.
[18] Pevzner, M. Dahan, A., “Mastitis while Breastfeeding: Prevention, the Importance of Proper Treatment, and Potential Complications,” Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 9, no. 8, pp. 2328, 2020.
[19] Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T., “Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence,” 11th ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2020.
[20] Parsa, P. Masoumi, Z. Parsa, N. Parsa, B., “Parent’s Health Beliefs Influence Breastfeeding Patterns among Iranian Women,” Oman Medical Journal, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 187-192, 2015.
[21] Emmanuel A., “A Literature Review of the Factors that Influence Breastfeeding: An Application of the Health Belief Model, International Journal of Nursing and Health Science, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 36-28, 2015.
[22] Stahl, N.A. King, J.R., “Expanding Approaches for Research: Understanding and using Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research,” Journal of Developmental Education, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 26-28, 2020.
[23] The U.S. Department of Agriculture Website. [Online]. Available: https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/
[24] American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, “ACOG Committee Opinion no. 821: Barriers to Breastfeeding: Supporting Initiation and Continuation of Breastfeeding,” Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 137, no. 2, pp. e54-e62, 2021.
[25] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Racial and Geographic Differences in Breastfeeding – United States, 2011-2015,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, vol. 66, no. 27, pp. 723-727, 2017.
[26] Amel Abouelfettoh, Assma Mahfouz, "Psychometric Properties (Validity and Reliability) of the Arabic Version of the Preterm Infant Feeding Survey (PIFS) Instrument," SSRG International Journal of Nursing and Health Science, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 9-14, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/24547484/IJNHS-V6I2P103
[27] Kumar Dinesh, Goel N K, Kalia Meenu, "IYCF Practices Among Mothers of Young Children in Chandigarh, UT: Optimal or Suboptimal," SSRG International Journal of Medical Science, vol. 2, no. 10, pp. 5-12, 2015. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939117/IJMS-V2I10P102.