Kathleen H Chaput1, Carol E Adair2, Alberto Nettel-Aguirre1, Richard Musto3, Suzanne C Tough1. 1. Department of Community Health, University of Calgary; and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alta. ; Department of Paediatrics, University of Calgary; and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alta. 2. Department of Community Health, University of Calgary; and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alta. ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary; and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alta. 3. Department of Community Health, University of Calgary; and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alta. ; Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alta.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding difficulties are a common occurrence, are highly personal and can vary from one infant to the next for any mother. Multiple sources of support, help and advice for breastfeeding are available to nursing mothers. Evidence suggests that the experience of the quality of breastfeeding supports may play an important role in maternal mental health and well-being in the postpartum period. We sought to explore the experiences of nursing mothers with support they received for breastfeeding in order to better inform and optimize existing breastfeeding supports and interventions. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative inquiry of nursing mothers' experiences with help, advice and support for breastfeeding. Participants were asked to provide open-ended, written accounts of their experiences with all sources of breastfeeding support received in the 6 months following the delivery of a healthy full-term infant in Calgary. We conducted qualitative thematic analysis, using constant comparison techniques. RESULTS: The sample included 86 mothers. Our analyses uncovered 4 emergent themes that contributed to the perceived quality of breastfeeding support: knowledge, effectiveness, sensitivity/emotional support and accessible when sought. INTERPRETATION: Our study provides a greater understanding of how mothers perceive the quality of the breastfeeding support that they receive, as well as what qualities of breastfeeding support are seen as beneficial or negative. The qualities contributing to the perception of breastfeeding support are important to inform and optimize perinatal care, and potentially reduce the risk of negative mental health outcomes for mothers.
BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding difficulties are a common occurrence, are highly personal and can vary from one infant to the next for any mother. Multiple sources of support, help and advice for breastfeeding are available to nursing mothers. Evidence suggests that the experience of the quality of breastfeeding supports may play an important role in maternal mental health and well-being in the postpartum period. We sought to explore the experiences of nursing mothers with support they received for breastfeeding in order to better inform and optimize existing breastfeeding supports and interventions. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative inquiry of nursing mothers' experiences with help, advice and support for breastfeeding. Participants were asked to provide open-ended, written accounts of their experiences with all sources of breastfeeding support received in the 6 months following the delivery of a healthy full-term infant in Calgary. We conducted qualitative thematic analysis, using constant comparison techniques. RESULTS: The sample included 86 mothers. Our analyses uncovered 4 emergent themes that contributed to the perceived quality of breastfeeding support: knowledge, effectiveness, sensitivity/emotional support and accessible when sought. INTERPRETATION: Our study provides a greater understanding of how mothers perceive the quality of the breastfeeding support that they receive, as well as what qualities of breastfeeding support are seen as beneficial or negative. The qualities contributing to the perception of breastfeeding support are important to inform and optimize perinatal care, and potentially reduce the risk of negative mental health outcomes for mothers.
Authors: Suzanne C Tough; Christine V Newburn-Cook; Alexandra J Faber; Deborah E White; Nonie J Fraser-Lee; Corine Frick Journal: Int J Health Care Qual Assur Inc Leadersh Health Serv Date: 2004