I was meant to be able to do this': a phenomenological study of women's experiences of breastfeeding (original) (raw)
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Mothers’ breastfeeding experiences and implications for professionals
Twenty percent of babies in the UK are receiving breast milk at the recommended six months, suggesting that long-term breastfeeding is untenable for many mothers. This manuscript reviews research on breastfeeding experiences and offers an analysis of six mothers' experiences of initiating and ceasing or continuing breastfeeding. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to understand how they made sense of their breastfeeding experiences. All had breastfed in the last year, had similar socioeconomic backgrounds, and varied in their breastfeeding durations from up to 1 month, for 1-6 months and 6+ months. Three master themes emerged: 1) reality of breastfeeding was highly discrepant from expectations, 2) the role of others in sustaining breastfeeding, and 3) feelings of guilt. Breastfeeding promotions that focus on biological benefits of breastfeeding without regard for psychosocial factors create a moral dilemma for mothers. Educational and counselling interventions using a biopsychosocial perspective can help mothers make informed feeding decisions.
Midwifery, 2014
Objective: to develop an understanding of primiparous women's experiences and challenges of breast feeding in the early postpartum period at two BFI accredited hospitals in the East Midlands in the UK that has lower rates of sustained breast feeding. Design and setting: a hermeneutic or interpretive phenomenology study was conducted across two hospitals in the East Midlands, UK. Data collection: 22 primigravid women completed a daily written diary maintained for six weeks post birth. In addition, interviews were conducted with 13 women, nine who had completed a diary and four who did not return a diary but wanted to be interviewed, providing 26 different women's perspectives on their breast feeding experiences either from a diary or interview. Findings: three main themes emerged from the interviews and written diaries: (1) mothers experience a 'roller coaster' of emotions in relation to trying to establish breast feeding, (2) mothers perceive health care professionals as the 'experts' on breast feeding and (3) mothers had difficulties in breast feeding their infants in public, including in front of family and family and when away from their homes. Conclusions: women were ill prepared for the realities of breast feeding despite their antenatal intention to breast feed. Mothers had a preconceived idea that breast feeding would be 'natural' and without difficulty. When problems occurred, they perceived this to be a breast feeding problem and so choose artificial milk. Mothers require ongoing support to breast feed, especially in the early postpartum period, but more realistic messages about breast feeding need to be included. Implications for practice: there is a clear need for antenatal education to focus on preparing women for the realities of breast feeding, including newborn behaviour, which may affect women's perceptions of breast feeding. Local health care professionals need to draw upon national breast feeding strategies but develop a localised approach in order to address the regional variance.
2016
The University of Manchester Georgina Afoakwah, Degree of PhD Exploring the lived experience of first-time breastfeeding women: A phenomenological study in Ghana Background: Breastfeeding is globally recognised as a gold standard of nutrition, recommended for the first six months of an infant's life. Despite its benefits, most women in Ghana do not breastfeed, as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF). Aim: To gain in-depth understanding of first-time Ghanaian mother lived experience of breastfeeding. Design/Method: A longitudinal qualitative design was adopted, underpinned by the hermeneutic phenomenological approach, as described by van Manen (1990). The study explored the lived experiences of thirty first-time women recruited from antenatal clinic. A series of three semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted; the first in late pregnancy, the second in the first week following childbirth and the final one between four and six months postpartum. Findings: Inductive thematic analysis informed by van Manen (1990) and principles of hermeneutic interpretation allowed the emergence of four main themes: the 'Breastfeeding Assumption,' Breastfeeding as Women's Business,' the Postnatal Breastfeeding Experience and 'Family as Enabler or Disabler'. Within the context of this study, breastfeeding is expressed as an activity within the family and social environment. The overall phenomenon that emerged was 'Social Conformity'. This demonstrates an understanding of the breastfeeding experience suffused with emotions as women project an image of themselves as successful breast feeders in order to conform to family and social expectations. Conclusion: Findings from the study demonstrated the multifactorial dimensions of breastfeeding. Most importantly, it was identified that first-time breastfeeding women use emotion work to cope with their experience of breastfeeding, within the social context. It was suggested that midwives play a pivotal role in helping women develop realistic expectations prior to breastfeeding. Furthermore encouraging family centered education that promotes holistic support for women. The findings therefore suggested the need for better antenatal education based on evidencebased practice. Breastfeeding women require individualised support that assesses their emotional needs and offers encouragement. Developing policies that ensure training of midwives and breastfeeding advocates was recommended. Future research could explore the impact of these interventions on breastfeeding practices, helping first time women to breastfeed effectively. Declaration There is no portion of the work referred to in this thesis that has been submitted in support of an application for another degree or qualification of this or any other university or other institute of learning.
Researcher perspectives from a study of women’s experiences of breastfeeding
Nurse Researcher, 2016
Background This paper discusses the use of diaries as a research tool to explore women's experiences of breastfeeding. Aim A phenomenological methodology was used to explore women's experiences of breastfeeding in the first 6-8 weeks after giving birth. The challenges and issues that can arise when using diaries are discussed here. Data sources The study was conducted in an East Midlands region of the UK. Volunteer pregnant primiparous women over 34 week's gestation were recruited to the study. In total 22 primigravid women completed a written diary for analysis. Mothers were encouraged to record something in their diary once a day about their infant feeding experience. Findings Using diaries provides a unique opportunity to capture the lived experiences of participants. In addition to being an accepted data collection method, the participants found the diaries acted as a reflective mechanism. Participants found that it allowed them an opportunity to describe their feelings and emotions, particularly if their infant feeding experiences was not as they had anticipated. Conclusions Diaries provide a useful insight into a social and health phenomenon that is often not captured in qualitative studies and are complementary to methods that are more commonly used, for example interviews. Diaries provide a unique opportunity for participants to share their lived experiences in a contemporaneous way and could be utilised more effectively in other qualitative or mixed methods health studies.
Revista Psicologia e Saúde, 2023
Background: In this study, we explored the mothers perception about their breastfeeding or weaning process. Methods: We conducted a clinical-qualitative study consisting of individual interviews with an intentional sample, closed by theoretical saturation criterion. Results: We analyzed the data using clinicalqualitative content analysis. We interviewed nine mothers aged between 29 and 41 years, who exclusively breastfed for 2 to 6 months. We established three thematic categories: 1) "The weaning paradox: between discomfort and relief from the process"; 2) "Leaving something behind: the bond with the child or with the work?"; and 3) "Ambiguity of control and care". Women who breastfeed or are in the process of weaning face many contradictory feelings, generating challenges and anguish to decide the best way to care. Conclusions: Health professionals can improve these women's experiences by opening a space for listening and understanding the emotional and social conditions involved.
Breastfeeding Experiences of Women- The Essence of Womanhood: A Qualitative Study
2020
Qualitative Research for the Social Sciences uses a conversational writing style that draws readers into the excitement of the research process. It provides insights into behaviours, moods and interactions which would have been difficult to measure using traditional survey techniques. “Narrative Analysis” is a qualitative approach which emphasises on power of spoken word. This approach was used because of its tremendous initiative appeal and is the best approach to “restory” the breastfeeding experience of the woman –the essence of womanhood. The study participants included four mothers who breast fed their children exclusively for six months, four mothers who complementarily breast fed for first six months and four mothers who never breast fed the babies from Dharwad district of Northern Karnataka. A total of 12 mothers in the year 2017-18 were selected by purposive sampling method. The participants consent was taken for their participation in lengthy, in depth interview and to aud...
Women’s experiences of breastfeeding: A narrative review of qualitative studies
2013
Globally, breastfeeding remains the primary method of infant feeding. Despite the indisputable benefits of breastfeeding, studies have identified both positive and negative aspects of women's experiences. This article aims to enhance our understanding of these breastfeeding experiences. Methods: Using a narrative review approach, 26 papers using different qualitative approaches were synthesized in order to consider the findings of real-life experiences of breastfeeding women. Selected qualitative studies described women's experiences of breastfeeding across international regions. This was intended to provide a critical review of the existing evidence and contribute to improving the knowledge of breastfeeding practice. Results: The inclusive studies yielded five main themes. The essence of breastfeeding was described in relation to a symbol of motherhood, feeling connected between the mother and baby, the dilemma of mother's expectations versus reality of breastfeeding, and mothers' need for consistent reassurance and support, and lastly social-cultural construct of breastfeeding. Conclusion: The findings identify the wider importance of breastfeeding experience that goes beyond simply providing the baby with nutrition.