Supporting women to achieve breastfeeding to six months postpartum – The theoretical foundations of a successful program

Abstract

. (2015). Supporting women to achieve breastfeeding to six months postpartum -The theoretical foundations of a successful program. Women and Birth, 28 (4), 265-271. Supporting women to achieve breastfeeding to six months postpartumThe theoretical foundations of a successful program AbstractBackground Although the benefits of breastfeeding to six months are well-established, only about half of Australian women succeed. The factors associated with successful breastfeeding are rarely translated into effective interventions. A new educational and support program, called the Milky Way program has been demonstrated to be effective in supporting women to achieve prolonged breastfeeding. In the Milky Way program, breastfeeding is considered an embodied performance which requires an engaged combination of body, mind and spirit. This paper aims to explain how the two theories that informed the program were used to better enable women's long term breastfeeding success. Method The theory of self-efficacy is first described as a way to develop women's cognitive processes to organise and execute the course of actions to breastfeed for a longer period of time. Birth territory theory is then presented. This theory discusses women as embodied selves; an essential concept for breastfeeding success. Birth territory theory also describes the effects of the holistic environment on the woman and explores the effects of power that is used in the environment. This power can be used integratively to strengthen the woman's breastfeeding confidence and success or, disintergratively which reduces her confidence and undermines her success. Conclusion Strategies based on self-efficacy theory are helpful, but are not sufficient to promote breastfeeding to six months. Health educators also need to foster the woman's connection to, and trust in, her body and her baby's body to breastfeed spontaneously. Being aware of environmental impacts on how the woman and baby breastfeed; and using one's own power integratively is crucial to women being able to achieve prolonged breastfeeding.

“Yo quiero amamantar a mi hijo”: Develando la experiencia de mujeres que enfrentaron dificultades en su proceso de lactancia

“…Existe evidencia que señala que las intervenciones que empoderan a las madres en la toma de decisiones con respecto a su lactancia, les permiten identificar por sí mismas sus problemas, con lo cual son capaces de poner en práctica estrategias de solución a éstos. Además, se enfatiza la importancia de considerar, en el establecimiento de la relación profesional-usuaria, el respeto por su condición de género y nueva madre, estableciendo una relación horizontal, libre de prejuicios, respetando los tiempos individuales y basada en la confianza [26][27][28] . De acuerdo a los resultados de este y otros estudios, se concluye que el período de mayor vulnerabilidad para la mujer y su hijo, en relación a la instalación de la lactancia, corresponde a las primeras semanas post parto.…”

Australian, Irish and Swedish women’s perceptions of what assisted them to breastfeed for six months: exploratory design using critical incident technique

“…When individuals are happy, relaxed and calm (physiological and affective states) they may achieve higher self-efficacy [ 26 – 28 ]. It has been suggested that social and professional support should include help for mothers to relax and focus on their feelings of closeness with their infant [ 46 ].…”

Factors affecting intention to breastfeed of a group of Brazilian childbearing women

“…[1][2][3] Although considered natural and instinctive, BF can be affected by numerous biological, social, historical and cultural factors. [10][11][12] According to Scavenius et al 12 social constraints in relation to BF may develop, leading to decreased suckling and eventually to the cessation of BF.…”