Extended Breastfeeding in Poland: Knowledge of Health Care Providers and Attitudes on Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy

Abstract

Background: Extended breastfeeding is rare in Poland, and lack of acceptance and understanding is often evident in public opinion. The ability to provide reliable information about breastfeeding beyond infancy depends on health professionals’ levels of knowledge and attitudes. They are considered by most parents in Poland to be authorities in the field of child nutrition. Research aims: To determine (1) the level of knowledge and the attitudes of Polish health professionals towards extended breastfeeding; (2) the relationship between personal breastfeeding experience and attitudes towards extended breastfeeding; and (3) the relationship between knowledge about breastfeeding beyond twelve months and attitudes towards breastfeeding beyond infancy. Methods: A one-group prospective, cross-sectional, self-report style survey was used. The convenience sample (N = 495) comprised gynaecologists, neonatologists and midwives. Data were collected via an online questionnaire and the results were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics, a chi-square independence test, Fisher’s exact test, post-hoc testing, and two-part tables using SPSS. Results: Most of the respondents (76.7%; n = 384) had a low level of knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding beyond twelve months and even emphasized that this nutritional choice could have negative impacts. There was a positive correlation (F = 105.847; p = < .01) between levels of knowledge and respondents’ attitudes towards breastfeeding beyond infancy. Attitudes were also influenced by the length of time respondents had breastfed. Conclusion: Healthcare providers have an insufficient level of knowledge about extended breastfeeding and need further education in this area.

Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding? Experiences and Opinions of Polish Mothers and Healthcare Providers

“…Based on the available literature, opinions on the link between mother’s nutrition and infants’ behavior have already been investigated in Canada [ 16 ], Asia [ 10 , 11 , 21 ], Mexico [ 22 ], and the USA [ 23 ]. Misinformation related to mainly animal-source foods or fruits and vegetables lead to women feeling obliged to deal with dietary restrictions, believing this practice to bring health benefits for their offspring [ 10 , 11 , 16 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 25 ]. Nevertheless, different degrees of elimination of various products from the diet make mothers vulnerable to qualitative malnutrition, resulting especially from deprivation of micronutrients [ 18 , 21 ].…”

“…Additionally, following an elimination diet is a factor affecting the length of breastfeeding [ 1 , 23 , 24 ]. In fact, knowledge gaps, commitment to tradition, and peer pressure make lactating mothers follow the practice of myths and taboos and to consequently develop learned and observed habits [ 10 , 11 , 16 , 24 , 25 ]. In this paper, our aim was to assess the knowledge on nutrition of breastfeeding mothers in Polish society, with a special focus on the comparison between healthcare providers and patients and emphasis on the presence of particular products in daily diets.…”

“…In this paper, our aim was to assess the knowledge on nutrition of breastfeeding mothers in Polish society, with a special focus on the comparison between healthcare providers and patients and emphasis on the presence of particular products in daily diets. In similar publications of Polish authors, the general knowledge of lactation, including popular myths and nutrition, was investigated among mothers [ 24 ] and healthcare providers [ 25 ]. The results of the aforementioned studies are comparable to the results of this survey, thus, further education in the area of lactation is needed, and knowledge of nutrition and reliable counseling are crucial for long and successful breastfeeding.…”

Promotion of Human Milk Substitutes in the Opinion of Mothers of Young Children

“…Research shows that recommending mothers human milk substitutes can result from the lack of knowledge of medical staff, mothers' attitudes, lack of motivation and time to discuss or give support in a situation of a breastfeeding problem [27]. Numerous studies show lack of knowledge of staff, especially regarding WHO recommendations with respect to the length of breastfeeding, or influence of BMS on the success of lactation [39,40]. Mothers point to contradictory messages provided by medical personnel resulting from a lack of knowledge about current recommendations [28].…”

Tandem Breastfeeding: A Descriptive Analysis of the Nutritional Value of Milk When Feeding a Younger and Older Child

“…Women who practice tandem breastfeeding often face criticism and social stigma. Furthermore, healthcare professionals are often unsupportive and lack knowledge about the benefits of tandem breastfeeding and the nutritional value of human milk during this practice [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Mothers may be told that human milk after a year is only “water” and devoid of nutritional value, or that breastfeeding an older child has no benefits.…”