Artificial milk-feeding women׳s views of their feeding choice in Ireland

Carroll, Margaret; Gallagher, Louise; Clarke, Mike; Millar, Sally; Begley, Cecily

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2015.03.002

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 43 publications

(49 reference statements)

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“…Practitioners may struggle with the professional imperative to inform women of the impact of breastfeeding on sexual activity, dyspareunia and vaginal lubrication at the same time as fearing a decrease in women’s willingness to breastfeed if impact is known. However, information regarding breastfeeding needs to take account of these findings, if care is to be ‘woman-centred’ as opposed to ‘breast-feeding centred’ [ 42 ]. Without this information women may blame themselves for their loss of sexual interest, or struggle alone without information on the array of vaginal lubricants available to alleviate vaginal dryness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of and risk factors associated with sexual health issues in primiparous women at 6 and 12 months postpartum; a longitudinal prospective cohort study (the MAMMI study)

O’Malley

Higgins

Begley

et al. 2018

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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BackgroundMany women are not prepared for changes to their sexual health after childbirth. The aim of this paper is to report on the prevalence of and the potential risk factors (pre-pregnancy dyspareunia, mode of birth, perineal trauma and breastfeeding) for sexual health issues (dyspareunia, lack of vaginal lubrication and a loss of interest in sexual activity) at 6 and 12 months postpartum.MethodsA longitudinal cohort study of 832 first-time mothers who were recruited in early pregnancy and returned postnatal surveys at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postpartum were assessed for sexual health issues and associated risk factors.ResultsNearly half of the women (46.3%) reported a lack of interest in sexual activity, 43% experienced a lack of vaginal lubrication and 37.5% of included women had dyspareunia 6 months after birth. On univariate analysis, vacuum-assisted birth, 2nd degree perineal tears, 3rd degree perineal tears and episiotomy were all associated with dyspareunia 6 months postpartum, but, of these only 3rd degree tears, in association with breastfeeding and pre-existing dyspareunia, remained significant on multivariable analysis. Breastfeeding, in combination, with other significant factors, was associated with dyspareunia, a lack of vaginal lubrication and a loss of interest in sexual activity 6 months postpartum, and, dissatisfaction with body image emerged as a significant factor associated with lack of interest in sexual activity at 12 months postpartum. Pre-pregnancy dyspareunia and breastfeeding emerged as common factors associated with all three outcomes of dyspareunia, a lack of vaginal lubrication and a loss of interest in sexual activity at 6 months postpartum.ConclusionBreastfeeding and pre-existing dyspareunia are associated with sexual health issues at 6 months postpartum. Pre-existing dyspareunia is associated with a lack of vaginal lubrication at 12 months postpartum and breastfeeding is associated with dissatisfaction with body image. Preparing women and their partners during the antenatal period and advising on simple measures, such as use of lubrication to avoid or minimise sexual health issues, could potentially remove stress, anxiety and fears regarding intimacy after birth. Introducing the topic of pre-existing sexual health issues antenatally may facilitate appropriate support, treatment or counselling for women.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of and risk factors associated with sexual health issues in primiparous women at 6 and 12 months postpartum; a longitudinal prospective cohort study (the MAMMI study)

O’Malley

Higgins

Begley

et al. 2018

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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“…Breastfeeding is often regarded as a challenging demand of motherhood [ 4 ], particularly in Ireland, which has a long-reigning formula feeding culture [ 7 , 11 , 20 ] and widely reported inadequate breastfeeding support [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Women who breastfeed at 17 weeks post-partum are in the minority, with only one in five Irish women breastfeeding, exclusively or otherwise, at this time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated with Maternal Wellbeing at Four Months Post-Partum in Ireland

Bennett

Kearney²

2018

Nutrients

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This study aimed to examine factors associated with maternal wellbeing at four months post-partum in the Irish context. Socio-demographic, health behaviour and infant feeding data were collected in pregnancy, at birth and at 17 weeks post-partum. Maternal distress, body image and resilience were measured at 17 weeks post-partum. Binary logistic regression predicted maternal distress and statistical significance was taken at p < 0.05. One hundred and seventy-two women were followed-up in pregnancy, at birth and at 17 weeks post-partum. Three in five (61.6%, n106) initiated breastfeeding. At 17 weeks post-partum, 23.8% (n41) were exclusively or partially breastfeeding and over a third (36.0%, n62) of all mothers were at risk of distress. In multivariate analyses, independent predictors of distress included: low maternal resilience (p < 0.01, odds ratio (OR): 7.22 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49–20.95)); unsatisfactory partner support (p = 0.02, OR: 3.89 (95% CI: 1.20–12.65)); older age (p = 0.02, OR: 1.11 (95% CI: 1.02–1.21)); and breastfeeding (p = 0.01, OR: 2.89 (95% CI: 1.29–6.47)). Routine assessment of emotional wellbeing and targeted interventions are needed to promote a more healthful transition to motherhood among women in Ireland.

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“…Social embarrassment and challenges around breastfeeding in public have been cited by women as reasons for both choosing to formula feed [ 8 ] and for the early cessation of breastfeeding [ 9 ]. Evidence suggests that women may choose to formula feed from birth because they fear social disapproval while breastfeeding in public [ 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Australian, Irish, and Swedish women’s comfort levels when breastfeeding in public

Gallagher,

Brady,

Kuliukas

et al. 2023

BMC Public Health

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Background Despite a flux of global initiatives to increase and sustain breastfeeding rates, challenges persist. The decision to commence and sustain breastfeeding is influenced by multiple, complex factors. Feelings of social embarrassment, shame, fear of judgement, and lack of confidence when breastfeeding in public, compound women’s decisions to breastfeed and may result in formula feeding or early cessation of breastfeeding. A greater understanding of where and how women feel most comfortable when breastfeeding in public can assist in designing interventions to support the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with women living in Australia (n = 10,910), Sweden (n = 1,520), and Ireland (n = 1,835), who were currently breastfeeding or who had breastfed within the previous two years. Our aim was to explore where, and how often women breastfeed in public and to compare their levels of comfort when breastfeeding in public. Data were collected in 2018 using an anonymous online survey over a four-week period in Ireland, Australia, and Sweden, and were analyzed using SPSS Version 25. Results Most respondents were highly educated, with over 70% in each country reporting having a university or college degree. Observing women breastfeeding in public was more commonly reported to be a weekly or daily occurrence in Sweden (24.5%) and Australia (28%), than in Ireland (13.3%). Women in the participating countries reported breastfeeding in public most commonly whenever their babies needed feeding. Very few women never or rarely breastfed publicly. Coffee shops/cafes, restaurants, and parks were the most popular locations. In all three countries, partners were reported to be very supportive of breastfeeding in public, which enhanced breastfeeding women’s comfort levels. When asked to score out of a maximum comfort level of 10, women reported higher mean levels of comfort when breastfeeding in front of strangers (Ireland M = 7.33, Australia M = 6.58, Sweden M = 6.75) than with those known to them, particularly in front of their father-in-law (Ireland M = 5.44, Australia M = 5.76, Sweden M = 6.66 out of 10), who scored lowest in terms of women’s comfort levels. Conclusion This study offers important insights into the experiences and comfort levels of women breastfeeding in public. Limitations include the anonymous nature of the surveys, thus preventing follow-up, and variances in terminology used to describe locations across the three settings. Recommendations are made for research to determine the relationships between the frequency of breastfeeding in public and breastfeeding women’s perceived comfort levels, the influence of family members’ perceptions of breastfeeding in public and women’s experiences, and the experience of women who feel uncomfortable while breastfeeding in public, with a view to developing support measures.

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Artificial milk-feeding women׳s views of their feeding choice in Ireland

Cited by 10 publications

References 43 publications

Prevalence of and risk factors associated with sexual health issues in primiparous women at 6 and 12 months postpartum; a longitudinal prospective cohort study (the MAMMI study)

Prevalence of and risk factors associated with sexual health issues in primiparous women at 6 and 12 months postpartum; a longitudinal prospective cohort study (the MAMMI study)

Factors Associated with Maternal Wellbeing at Four Months Post-Partum in Ireland

Australian, Irish, and Swedish women’s comfort levels when breastfeeding in public

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