Breastfeeding attitudes among adolescent mothers attending a nutrition breastfeeding support group

Abstract

Objective: Breastfeeding is an ideal way of providing infant nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of breastfeeding and nutrition education on breastfeeding attitudes using a support group model. Methods: Design: A descriptive comparative design was used to achieve the aim of this study. The study was conducted at a public school for pregnant and/or parenting young women located in a large metropolitan area. Participants: Pregnant or parenting female adolescents (n = 67) in 6 th through 12 th grade attending a nutrition breastfeeding support group. Instruments: Participants completed an evaluation survey and a breastfeeding questionnaire to assess the effectiveness of the support group and generate information on the group's breastfeeding attitudes and nutrition knowledge.Results: Breastfeeding attitudes improved as more support group meetings were attended. Public embarrassment due to breastfeeding for new group members was reported at 27% and as more meetings were attended dropped to zero with a significant likelihood ratio of .013. Breastfeeding attitude questions regarding never being able to give a bottle, being tired about hearing about breastfeeding, thinking breastfeeding is nasty, and hearing that breastfeeding is good all showed positive trends in breastfeeding attitudes.Conclusions: Attendance at a nutrition breastfeeding support group positively correlated to improved breastfeeding attitudes among adolescent mothers. Peer involvement in a support group environment is an effective intervention for improving breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes in the adolescent population.

Breastfeeding challenges among adolescent mothers: a phenomenological study at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana

“… 34 On the contrary, Manion et al demonstrated a decrease in public embarrassment of breast feeding as those mothers attended more meetings on infant nutrition education which was a support intervention group organised by interprofessionals to increase and sustain breast feeding among mothers. 38 Understanding of adolescent mothers on the importance of breast feeding both to the infant and mother will motivate them to breastfeed their babies. 23 39 It could be said that with interventions such as education and counselling, embarrassment and shame could be reduced among mothers who feed their infants in public and particularly adolescent mothers.…”

Riesgo preconcepcional y embarazo en la adolescencia desde un enfoque epidemiológico y preventivo

“…La experimentación de la sexualidad requiere de un esfuerzo adaptativo biológico y mental; constituye parte de la asimilación del proceso de cambios que sufre el cuerpo humano en esa etapa, lo que se hace más complejo atendiendo a los cambios culturales de los adolescentes contemporáneos, que están condicionados por los medios de difusión masiva, sin la toma de conciencia de la responsabilidad que implica. (26) Manion et al (27) plantean que, comúnmente, las adolescentes no se encuentran preparadas ni poseen la madurez para asumir la maternidad. En su investigación observaron que las actitudes ante la lactancia materna no era la esperada.…”

Explaining the perception and experiences of breastfeeding in mothers who have a high risk pregnancy: a protocol study

“…Official support may also impact breastfeeding practices. Family and friends play a role in encouraging breastfeeding, and environmental support can be crucial [8,21,22]. Support in breastfeeding is vital in preventing maternal fatigue and increasing cardiac workload, especially in high-risk pregnancies such as congenital heart diseases (CDH) [15].…”