Mothers’ Decisional Conflict and Information Needs Regarding Breastfeeding Continuation or Termination: a Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

Background: Many factors affect mothers' decisions to continue or terminate breastfeeding, and they frequently experience difficulty making this decision. However, there is little research on mothers' information needs and decisional conflict experiences regarding breastfeeding continuation/termination. Objective: To examine breastfeeding decisional conflict and information needs in mothers in Japan. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 158 mothers (aged ≥20 years) attending health check-ups in Japan. Decisional conflict was assessed using the Decisional Conflict Scale-Japanese version. Participants responded to self-devised items on decisional conflict reasons and information needs. Results: Of participants, 107 (67.7%) experienced decisional conflict about breastfeeding continuation/termination. Conflict was strongest after 6 months postpartum. The most common reasons for conflict were lack of sleep for both mother and child (both n = 33; 30.8%), lack of knowledge of how to terminate breastfeeding (n = 27; 25.2%), plans to return to work (n = 25; 23.4%), and plans for children to attend nursery school (n = 23; 21.5%). Participants relied most on the Internet (n = 112; 70.9%), friends (n = 76; 48.1%), and midwives (n = 67; 42.4%) to help them make decisions. More than half of mothers reported needing information about breast care and how to terminate breastfeeding. Few mothers had received professional education and support about breastfeeding. Conclusion: Many mothers experience decisional conflict about breastfeeding continuation/termination but receive little professional support, particularly after 6 months postpartum. Strategies are needed to provide informed support to help mothers make better decisions about whether and when to terminate breastfeeding.