Breastfeeding as a Specific Value in Women's Lives: The Experiences and Decisions of Breastfeeding Women

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, breastfeeding is recommended for every woman who gives birth to a child. The propensity to breastfeed varies. There is considerable knowledge about the experiences and circumstances that affect the decision to breastfeed, but knowledge about what actually generates the decision's force still needs to be increased. The aim of this study was to gain knowledge of how the decision to breastfeed is initiated and upheld. Subjects and Methods: Eighteen women from three generations were interviewed, and the data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Results: Six categories were

Experiência de amamentação de mulheres após mamoplastia

“…Thus, the lactation process is essential for breastfeeding, ensuring the means for women to provide human milk to the child, regardless of whether she is in the immediate or late postpartum period. Otherwise, there may be problems such as hypogalactia or hyperlactation, or even behavioral conditions that affect the onset and duration of breastfeeding (11)(12)(13) . Reduction mammoplasty was the type of surgery that most of the research participants underwent before they became mothers, and the one that had the most negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding when compared to breast augmentation surgery.…”

“…The maternal role, a more external element of the conceptual framework of the theory, relates to aspects transmitted from mother to daughter. In some cultures and social groups, failure to breastfeed brings a sense of only partial achievement in this role (12) . The success of exclusive breastfeeding is directly related to postponing the introduction of liquids of any nature, based on the belief that the breast milk supply is sufficient to nourish the child, that the breast milk is healthier and stronger, thus making the woman feel safe and confident about this practice, visualizing herself as capable of producing well-being for the child (18) .…”

Interactive breastfeeding scale: proposition based on the middle-range theory of nursing

“…1 Communication between mother and child occurs through gestures, touch, posture, facial expression, physical appearance, body movements, as well as verbal elements of the mother, words and sounds, and the child's crying and sounds. [14][15][16] In the "Dimensionality" step, we observe that the breastfeeding phenomenon is a multifactorial construct, being influenced in the Interactive Theory by the following factors: woman's and child's biological conditions; woman's and child's perception; woman's body image; space for breastfeeding; mother's role; organizational systems for the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding; family and social authority; woman's decision making; and mother-child dynamic interaction.…”

“…Such conditions may interfere with breastfeeding and refer to: breasts/nipples of women, milk production, anatomy and physiology of the stomatognathic system of newborns, and diseases/injuries of women and children that may hinder or halt breastfeeding. 14,15,21 In relation to the social dimensions of breastfeeding, a multidimensional scale such as the proposal must incorporate concepts and empirical referents that have adherence to the mother-child relationship with family, community and society. The Interactive Breastfeeding Scale, when proposing nine items in assertions related to "woman's body image" and "breastfeeding spaces", seeks to contemplate aspects of motherchild-environment interaction, such as, for example, the concern about milk supply, breast tenderness and the embarrassment of breastfeeding in public places.…”

“…14,20,21 The scale recognizes that women, when performing their role as mothers, seek to preserve their autonomy, even if limited, in order to make the decision to start and maintain breastfeeding for her child or not. 15 For this, the scale presents eight assessment items linked to the "mother's role" and "women's decision making. "…”