Breastfeeding experiences and support: identifying factors influencing breastfeeding behaviour

Abstract

Background Breastfeeding rates at 6 months in the UK have remained low in recent years, highlighting a need to better understand the factors that influence breastfeeding behaviour. Aim To investigate factors that influence breastfeeding behaviour in the UK and to understand the role of health professionals in promoting and facilitating breastfeeding. Methods Participants with breastfeeding experience (n=1505) completed an online survey, with 30 agreeing to be interviewed. Survey data were analysed using quantitative content analysis and a mixed thematic approach was employed to analyse interview data. Themes were derived from triangulation of survey and interview data. Results The survey identified a range of feeding complications. Thematic analysis identified four themes related to factors influencing breastfeeding: attitudes, availability of information, birthing experience and maternal mental health. Conclusions Healthcare professionals play an important role in the decision to breastfeed. It is essential that appropriate support and information is made available from early in pregnancy and throughout the breastfeeding journey. Particular support and advice is needed for those who have experienced traumatic births or are struggling with poor mental health.

Breastfeeding in the First Year of Life: The Situation in Romania in the European Context

“…The literature notes that the decision to breastfeed is influenced by previous breastfeeding experience and education [15], while the decision to continue breastfeeding is influenced by the contribution of healthcare professionals [16].…”

“At the End of the Day, My Goal is to Help People Feed Their Babies Human Milk”: A Qualitative Exploration of the Pumping Attitudes of Lactation Care Providers

“…Lactation care providers in this study shared the importance of presenting the challenges of pumping, especially exclusively pumping, in efforts to prepare parents. Presentation of challenges is warranted as it was reported in a recent study that parents want honest and accurate information about common breastfeeding difficulties, so they do not give up when encountering them (Norman et al, 2022). Yet, without informing parents about strategies to succeed in the presence of these challenges, it may be seen by parents as unsupportive, which may explain more conflict than congruence between patients and providers on pumping.…”

“…Odom et al (2014) found that when birthing parents perceived that their provider preferred breastfeeding, they were more likely to initiate breastfeeding, while they were more likely to never breastfeed if there was a perceived preference of a combination of HM and formula or no preference. Likewise, parents report that attitudes of friends, family, and healthcare providers influence their desire to start or continue HM feeding (Norman et al, 2022). Knowing that attitudes of healthcare providers make a difference in parents' feeding intentions and behaviors, researchers have implemented educational interventions aimed at improving attitudes to HM feeding in hopes of improving support for parents (Balogun et al, 2017).…”

The bidirectional relationship between breastfeeding and mental health

“…Feelings of distress or disappointment about the delivery, anxiety about the baby, and perceived inability to cope are among many negative feelings post-delivery (O'Hara & Wisner, 2014). While for many these reactions are likely to be short-lived and transient, an important complication of pregnancy and childbirth is perinatal mental illness, with childbirth associated with the onset of depressive and anxiety disorders (O'Hara & Wisner, 2014;Keevash et al, 2018;Norman et al, 2022) and trauma-related symptoms (Baptie et al, 2021). While perinatal mental health difficulties occur in a small subset of individuals, they can cause extreme distress to the mother and her family, as well as costing an estimated cost of £8.1 billion each year to society in the UK (Bauer et al, 2014).…”

“…Of this cost, only 28% relate to mother, with 72% relating to adverse impacts on the child (e.g. long-term physical and mental illness, reduced quality of life and reduced career prospects over a lifetime).Women experiencing perinatal mental health difficulties should have access to specialist advice, clear referral and management protocols in accordance with NICE guidelines (NICE, 2014), however service provision in the UK remains inadequate (Bauer et al 2014;Baptie et al, 2021;Norman et al, 2022).…”