Relational long-term breastfeeding

Abstract

This article uses a relationality-sensitive perspective to analyse long-term breastfeeding. The data was gathered through open invitations to write, and the article is based on the written reflections of 39 long-term breastfeeding Finnish mothers. In Finland, the breastfeeding of babies is strongly supported, but long-term breastfeeding (over 12 months) is a more conflicted issue, and the cultural norm of one year of breastfeeding is strong. Through qualitative content analysis, the article shows how mothers reflect on long-term breastfeeding's effects on their relations with their breastfed children, partners (if any), relatives and healthcare professionals. The findings show that long-term breastfeeding is often a rewarding experience, but that it takes place in a network of relations and has effects on those relations. With a relationality-sensitive approach to breastfeeding, we can better understand how mothering is done in and through relations with others, and how mothers express the need for a change in attitudes towards long-term breastfeeding. This article gives a voice to mothers who are often silent in our society, and therefore participates in the feminist empowerment of women and especially mothers.

Health professionals’ competencies regarding breastfeeding beyond 12 months: a systematic review

“…Previous research has shown that health professionals support mothers breastfeeding an infant [ 39 ], but as the breastfeeding continues beyond 12 months, it is poorly understood by health professionals and the society in general [ 40 ]. The older the breastfed child, the more mothers need to justify their breastfeeding [ 41 ]. This was also visible in the data.…”

“…Some health professionals saw breastfeeding beyond 12 months as awkward, expressed concern about it and felt discomfort when seeing a breastfeeding mother [ 31 ]. This phenomenon can also be seen reflected in the experiences of mothers that breastfeeding beyond 12 months is not supported by health professionals [ 6 , 10 ] and that health professionals’ attitudes towards breastfeeding are rude or negative [ 4 , 41 ]. Mothers feel that health professionals are dismissive of breastfeeding beyond 12 months and that this dismissive attitude is based on misinformation [ 7 ].…”

What are the needs and challenges of breastfed medically complex infants and children in the paediatric setting?

“…Another separate problem was the apparent lack of understanding of breastfeeding beyond the age of one year. Säilävaara (2021) found that mothers of toddlers were highly motivated to breastfeed but required long-term, ongoing support to do so. Further research has found that many women encounter prejudice and misinformation and consequently may conceal their 'extended' breastfeeding status (Thompson et al, 2020).…”