Support for breastfeeding in the first postpartum month: perceptions of breastfeeding women.

Support for breastfeeding, particularly in the early weeks, remains a challenge for health professionals. Focus group interviews with South Australian metropolitan mothers about their first month postpartum explored perceptions of available breastfeeding support. Women discussed breastfeeding support as related to place, people and timing. Findings of this retrospective qualitative study indicate that breastfeeding women perceived midwives as unable to provide the support and relationship they needed due to limitations of time and inconsistent rosters of staff. Additionally, confusion was reported to arise from conflicting advice given by midwives. The issues raised by participants provide an opportunity for midwives to consider reshaping their practices to meet the perceived needs of breastfeeding women in the early postpartum period.