Women’s Perceptions and Experiences of Breastfeeding Support: A Metasynthesis (original) (raw)
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Supporting breastfeeding mothers: qualitative synthesis
Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2008
Title. Supporting breastfeeding mothers: qualitative synthesis. Aim. This paper is a report of a synthesis of mothers' and healthcare professionals' experiences and perceptions of breastfeeding support. Background. Despite increasing knowledge, breastfeeding rates remain relatively static and mothers continue to report dissatisfaction with their experiences of breastfeeding. Greater understanding of breastfeeding may be achieved through rigorous qualitative research, and there has been a recent increase in such studies. Data sources. Electronic databases and citation lists of published papers were searched for articles listed between 1990 and 2005 and updated in May 2007. Studies were included if they used qualitative methods, were published in English, explored an aspect of breastfeeding and were based in a westernized country. Review methods. Papers were included if they reported studies using qualitative methods to explore breastfeeding and were published in English and based in a westernized country. Each study was reviewed and assessed independently, key themes extracted and grouped, and secondary thematic analysis used to explore key concepts.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Qualitative). The objectives are as follows: To assess evidence on factors that facilitate or constrain women's engagement and satisfaction with breastfeeding support during two particular phases: (i) initiation; and (ii) continuation. We further intend to integrate our findings with four Cochrane Reviews on effectiveness of breastfeeding support (Balogun 2016; Lumbiganon 2016; McFadden 2017; Whitford 2017). The specific focus of the QES is: • to identify (contextual or personal) factors that impact on women's responsiveness to and satisfaction with breastfeeding support; • to examine choice patterns, perceived benefits and challenges of engaging with or perceiving breastfeeding support; • to identify characteristics of the populations, interventions or outcomes that may be important to consider in future updates of the linked Cochrane Reviews of effectiveness (Balogun 2016; Lumbiganon 2016; McFadden 2017; Whitford 2017). This refers to potential additional subgroups, outcome measures, and review questions that could be taken into account in future updates of these intervention reviews; • to provide suggestions on how to improve breastfeeding support programmes to increase the level of satisfaction of women with support and to better match the expectations and needs of women. Our review questions • How do women experience breastfeeding support programmes? 1 Factors that influence women's engagement with breastfeeding support: a qualitative evidence synthesis (Protocol)
Two sides of breastfeeding support: experiences of women and midwives
International Breastfeeding Journal, 2010
Background: Midwives' support of breastfeeding in maternity wards has been proven to provide an impact on women's breastfeeding experiences. In previous studies women describe professional support unfavourably, with an emphasis on time pressures, lack of availability or guidance, promotion of unhelpful practices, and conflicting advice. Thus, the present study aims to investigate women's experiences and reflections of receiving breastfeeding support and midwives' experiences and reflections of giving breastfeeding support. Methods: This study was carried out in a county in southwestern Sweden during 2003-2004. A qualitative method, content analysis, was chosen for the study. The data came from interviews with women as well as interviews with midwives who were experienced in breastfeeding support.
Breastfeeding under the umbrella of support networks: a facilitative strategy
Escola Anna Nery, 2020
Objectives: To know the aspects related to breastfeeding from the perspective of women in a city in the inland of Rio de Janeiro and to discuss the family support network created as a facilitation strategy for women to breastfeed their children. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research. For data collection, a semi-structured interview script instrument was developed. The focus groups were filmed, and the speeches transcribed in full. Data was divided and grouped into thematic categories. A total of ten volunteer women participated. The reference used was the National Breastfeeding Policy. Results: The following categories emerged from the focus groups: Breastfeeding: facilities and difficulties faced; Prenatal specificities and identification of the support network during breastfeeding. Conclusion and implications for practice: Breastfeeding is an action based on subjectivity, women's experience and among members of the social network. The results point to th...
Health Expectations, 2020
Background and contextBreastfeeding peer support is valued by women, but UK trials have not demonstrated efficacy. The ABA feasibility trial offered proactive peer support underpinned by behaviour change theory and an assets‐based approach to women having their first baby, regardless of feeding intention. This paper explores women's and infant feeding helpers' (IFHs) views of the different components of the ABA intervention.Setting and participantsTrained IFHs offered 50 women an antenatal meeting to discuss infant feeding and identify community assets in two English sites—one with a paid peer support service and the other volunteer‐led. Postnatally, daily contact was offered for the first 2 weeks, followed by less frequent contact until 5 months.MethodsInterviews with 21 women and focus groups/interviews with 13 IFHs were analysed using thematic and framework methods.ResultsFive themes are reported highlighting that women talked positively about the antenatal meeting, mappi...
Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2005
The promotion of breastfeeding has been established as a global public health issue. Despite this global agenda, breastfeeding initiation and duration rates remain low in many countries. The lack of provision of adequate support to the breastfeeding mother is an important contributory factor to shorter duration of breastfeeding. Health professionals and voluntary breastfeeding supporters are in a prime position to work collaboratively to provide comprehensive support to the breastfeeding mother. However, a comparative evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of voluntary breastfeeding supporters and health professionals has never been conducted. This study aimed to assess the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and Breastfeeding Network (B f N) supporters. Breastfeeding support skills were assessed using a betweensubjects design conducted with 15 midwives and 15 B f N supporters in the north-west of England. Support skills were measured using the prevalidated Breastfeeding Support Skills Tool (BeSST), a questionnaire and video tool. Total scores on the BeSST were significantly higher in the B f N group (mean = 42.5 ± 6.4 SD) than in the midwife group (mean = 30.7 ± 8.2 SD) [ t (26.5) = 4.4, P < 0.0001]. The B f N group has the breastfeeding support skills necessary to provide adequate assistance for breastfeeding mothers. An interagency and interdisciplinary collaborative model is crucial to developing a coherent and cohesive approach to the support infrastructure for breastfeeding women.
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2013
Background: International studies suggest that breastfeeding interventions in primary care are more effective than usual care in increasing short and long term breastfeeding rates. Interventions that combine pre-and postnatal components have larger effects than either alone, and those that including lay support in a multicomponent intervention may be more beneficial. Despite the mixed reports of the effectiveness of breastfeeding peer support in the UK, targeted peer support services are being established in many areas of the UK. In 2010, NHS Bristol Primary Care Trust commissioned a targeted breastfeeding peer support service for mothers in 12 lower socio-economic areas of the city, with one antenatal visit and postnatal contact for up to 2 weeks. Methods: Mothers receiving the peer support service were invited to complete an on-line survey covering infant feeding; breastfeeding support; and confidence in breastfeeding (using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale). Semi-structured interviews and a focus group explored perceptions of mothers, midwives and peer supporters. The effects of the service on breastfeeding rates were documented and compared. Results: 163 mothers completed the on-line survey; 25 participants were interviewed (14 mothers, 7 peer supporters and 4 maternity health professionals); exclusive and total breastfeeding rates for initiation and at 8 weeks were compared for 12 months before and after the service started. The targeted peer support service was associated with small non-significant increases in breastfeeding rates, (particularly exclusive breastfeeding), compared to the rest of the city. The service was very positively evaluated by mothers, health professionals and peer supporters. Mothers felt that peer support increased their confidence to breastfeed; peer supporters found the contacts rewarding, enjoyable and important for mothers; midwives and maternity support workers were positive about the continuity of an antenatal visit and postnatal support from the same local supporter. Conclusions: The introduction of a targeted peer support service was associated with psycho-social benefits for mothers, health professionals and peer supporters. Continuity of peer support with an antenatal visit and postnatal support from the same local supporter was also thought to be beneficial.