The private journey: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of exclusive 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.
Reasons for Stopping Exclusive Breastfeeding Between Three and Six Months: A Qualitative Study
Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 2018
Scant published qualitative literature exists focusing on why exclusive breastfeeding rates decline between three and six months. This study aims to develop an understanding of why exclusive breastfeeding tails off so dramatically between three and six months after birth in New Zealand. Design and Methods: A generic qualitative methodology was employed in this study and social constructionism selected as the main epistemological framework underpinning the research. This study was carried out between September 2013 and July 2014, involving face-to-face interviews with 30 women who were characterised as highly motivated to complete six months exclusive breastfeeding prior to the birth of their child. In order to gain an in-depth understanding of the research material, thematic analysis of the interview transcripts was completed using manual coding techniques. Results: After thematic analysis of the data four key themes were identified: 1) The good employee/good mother dilemma. 2) Breastfeeding is lovely, but six months exclusively is demanding. 3) Exclusive breastfeeding recommendations should be individualised. 4) Introducing solids early as a cultural practice. Conclusions: Most studies have linked barriers to six months exclusive breastfeeding to difficulties within the mother-infant dyad, as well as negative maternal socioeconomic and socio-demographic characteristics. However, this study has shown that the maintenance of six months exclusive breastfeeding is also challenging for this group of mothers who were socially advantaged, well-educated and highly motivated to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months.
Women’s experiences of ceasing to breastfeed: Australian qualitative study
BMJ Open, 2019
ObjectiveTo investigate mothers’ infant feeding experiences (breastfeeding/formula milk feeding) with the aim of understanding how women experience cessation of exclusive breastfeeding.DesignMultimethod, qualitative study; questionnaire, focus groups and interviews.SettingNorthern and Southern Tasmania, Australia.Participants127 mothers of childbearing age from a broad sociodemographic context completed a questionnaire and participated in 22 focus groups or 19 interviews across Tasmania, 2011–2013.ResultsMothers view breastfeeding as ‘natural’ and ‘best’ and formula milk as ‘wrong’ and ‘unnatural’. In an effort to avoid formula and prolong exclusive breastfeeding, mothers will endure multiple issues (eg, pain, low milk supply, mastitis, public shaming) and make use of various forms of social and physical capital; resources such as father/partner support, expressing breast milk, bottles and dummies. The cessation of exclusive breastfeeding was frequently experienced as unexpected and...
Maternal & Child Nutrition, 2012
Breastfeeding is a practice which is promoted and scrutinised in the UK and internationally. In this paper we use interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the experiences of eight, British, first-time mothers who struggled with breastfeeding in the early postpartum period. Participants kept audio diary accounts of their infant feeding experiences across a seven day period immediately following the birth of their infant and took part in related semistructured interviews a few days after completion of the diary. The overarching theme identified was of a tension between the participants' lived, embodied experience of struggling to breastfeed and the cultural construction of breastfeeding as 'natural' and trouble-free. Participants reported particular difficulties interpreting the pain they experienced during feeds, and their emerging maternal identities were threatened, often fluctuating considerably from feed to feed. We discuss some of the implications for breastfeeding promotion and argue for greater awareness and understanding of breastfeeding difficulties, so that breastfeeding women are less likely to interpret these as a personal shortcoming in a manner which disempowers them. We also advocate the need to address proximal and distal influences around the breastfeeding dyad and in particular to consider the broader cultural context in the United Kingdom where breastfeeding is routinely 2 promoted yet often constructed as a shameful act if performed in the public arena.
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.
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...
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.
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.