Mothers of preterm infants’ experiences of breastfeeding support in the first 12 months after birth: A qualitative study

Ericson, Jenny; Palmér, Lina

doi:10.1111/birt.12383

Cited by 13 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 21 publications

(46 reference statements)

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“…Due to this vulnerable situation, breastfeeding support is essential. However, professional breastfeeding support has been shown to vary widely for mothers of preterm infants due to the individual style of various healthcare professionals; support was shown to be either constructive or destructive [7]. This inconsistency puts the mother in a situation wherein she is exposed to different support styles that are not always sensitive to her unique situation [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A qualitative study on the breastfeeding experience of mothers of preterm infants in the first 12 months after birth

Palmér

Ericson

2019

Int Breastfeed J

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Background Being a mother of a preterm infant (< 37 gestational weeks) puts the mother in a vulnerable and fragile situation wherein breastfeeding is an important part of becoming a mother and bonding with the infant. Nevertheless, the breastfeeding experience of mothers during the first year after a preterm birth has not been well studied. To develop professional caring and supporting relationships, it is important to address this knowledge gap. The aim of this study was to describe the breastfeeding experience of mothers of preterm infants from birth up until 12 months after birth. Methods The data in this qualitative study are derived from a multicentre randomized controlled trial where 270 mothers of preterm infants provided 496 written comments through questionnaires containing open-ended questions. The questionnaires were sent to the mother three times during the first 12 months after birth. A thematic network analysis based on hermeneutical philosophy was used to analyse and interpret the resulting data to describe the mothers’ experiences of breastfeeding. Results Three organizing themes, namely, “navigating smoothly,” “navigating with a struggle” and “navigating in ambiguity” were revealed in the mothers’ narratives regarding their breastfeeding experiences during the first 12 months after birth. These organizing themes were further interpreted as one global theme that was deemed “ A journey to finding one’s unique way in breastfeeding .” Conclusion Mothers of preterm infants are in an exposed and vulnerable situation when initiating breastfeeding during the first year. This situation leads to a unique journey wherein each mother navigates through breastfeeding depending on her individual situation. An awareness of the diversity of breastfeeding experiences may contribute to the provision of professional caring and supportive relationships. Trial registration www.clinicaltrial.gov NCT01806480 registered 7 March 2013.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A qualitative study on the breastfeeding experience of mothers of preterm infants in the first 12 months after birth

Palmér

Ericson

2019

Int Breastfeed J

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“…Mothers who tend to see their bodies as passive objects and who do not take control in an active way must be strengthened to believe in their bodies ability to breastfeed as long as they want. Genuine support strengthens mothers, as shown by Ericson and Palmer (2018). Genuine support is individually adapted and includes both practical and emotional support.…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Genuine support is individually adapted and includes both practical and emotional support. Furthermore, genuine support also includes being listened to and being met with respect, understanding and knowledge [12]. In a caring situation in which support is provided, there must be an openness towards each mother's unique breastfeeding situation.…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

“…For a mother to have the possibility of breastfeeding as long as she wants, breastfeeding support is crucial [11]. However, mothers of preterm infants have little control over breastfeeding support they receive and inadequate support diminishes breastfeeding [12]. Previous research has found that lower breastfeeding satisfaction, lower self-efficacy, partial breastfeeding at discharge, a low maternal educational level, the use of soothing methods, negative maternal experiences and longer stays in the neonatal unit increased the risk of breastfeeding cessation in mothers of preterm infants [13][14][15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cessation of breastfeeding in mothers of preterm infants—A mixed method study

Ericson¹,

Palmér²

2020

PLoS ONE

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Introduction Many women cease breastfeeding earlier than desired. This study examined the cessation of breastfeeding among mothers of preterm infants. Thus, the aim was to describe the cessation of breastfeeding in mothers of preterm infants up to 12 months after birth. Method This mixed methods study used a convergent design with both qualitative data, consisting of written comments, and quantitative data, on breastfeeding status and breastfeeding satisfaction. The data were collected from questionnaires sent to the mothers at three points during the first year after birth. In total, 270 mothers of preterm infants who breastfed at the time of discharge from the neonatal unit provided data for the study. The quantitative and qualitative data were analysed separately with statistical tests and hermeneutical analysis, respectively and then together according to the convergent mixed methods design. Results Four themes of the meanings of the cessation of breastfeeding were identified in the qualitative analysis: "Desire to regain the mother's and the infant's well-being", "The mothers interpretation that the infants actively ceased breastfeeding", "The mother's body and/or the infants' signals showing the way" and "The mother's own will and perceived external obstacles". Mothers who did not breastfeed as long as they wanted were more likely to report less satisfaction with breastfeeding, a shorter breastfeeding period, and less activity when ceasing breastfeeding. In comparison, mothers who breastfed as long as they wanted were more satisfied with breastfeeding, breastfed for a longer period of time and were more active in decision making in breastfeeding cessation. Conclusion Maternal passivity or activity influenced the cessation of breastfeeding in mothers of preterm infants who breastfed at the time of discharge from the neonatal unit. Passive behaviour

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“…Empowerment plays a key role in the promotion of breastfeeding and the identification of the factors that can help improve breastfeeding practices [7]. Previous research suggests that multiple factors can be effective in initiating lactation and continuing the successful breastfeeding process [14][15][16]. In this regard, the researchers have examined the impact of socioeconomic status, physicalpsychological status, social support, and self-efficacy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Explaining breastfeeding experiences and assessing factors affecting breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers of premature infants: a mixed method study protocol

Asadi¹,

Aslani²,

Nayebinia³

et al. 2020

Reprod Health

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Background: Breastfeeding has a great effect on health promotion and disease prevention in premature infants. However, various factors affect the success of breastfeeding process in mothers. The present study aims to: a) explain breastfeeding experiences; b) assess the factors affecting breastfeeding self-efficacy; and c) present a guideline for promoting breastfeeding in mothers of premature infants. Methods: This mixed-methods study with a sequential explanatory design consisted of three phases. The first phase is qualitative study to explore the breastfeeding experiences in mothers of premature infants. In this phase, the subjects will be selected through purposive sampling; moreover, in-depth individual interviewing will be used for data collection. Finally, the conventional content analysis approach will be employed for data analysis. The second phase is quantitative and will be used a cross-sectional approach to assess the association of the social determinants of health with breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers of premature infants. In this phase, the multistage cluster sampling method will be used to select 360 subjects who will be visited healthcare centers in Tabriz, Iran. The third phase focused on developing strategies to increase the ability of mothers to breastfeed their premature infants, using the qualitative and quantitative results of previous phases, a review of the related literature, and the nominal group technique will be performed among experts. Discussion:The present research is the first study that investigated the experiences of breastfeeding and factors influencing breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers of premature infants. For the purposes of the study, the mixed methods approach will be used which aimed to develop strategies for the improvement of healthcare services in this regard. It is worth noting that there is no strategic guideline in Iran's healthcare system for the improvement of breastfeeding, especially regarding mothers of premature infants. Therefore, it is hoped that the strategy proposed in the current study can lead to improvements in this regard.Ethical code: IR.TBZMED.REC.1398.100.

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Mothers of preterm infants’ experiences of breastfeeding support in the first 12 months after birth: A qualitative study

Cited by 13 publications

References 21 publications

A qualitative study on the breastfeeding experience of mothers of preterm infants in the first 12 months after birth

A qualitative study on the breastfeeding experience of mothers of preterm infants in the first 12 months after birth

Cessation of breastfeeding in mothers of preterm infants—A mixed method study

Explaining breastfeeding experiences and assessing factors affecting breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers of premature infants: a mixed method study protocol

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