Katherine Bower1, Tara Burnette2, Daniel Lewis3, Courtney Wright1, Katie Kavanagh1. 1. 1 Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA. 2. 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN, USA. 3. 3 Office of Research, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: For very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants, breastfeeding may no longer be an immediate option. Mothers often turn to mechanically expressing their milk with a breast pump to provide their infants human milk. Research aim: This study aimed to describe mothers' experiences expressing milk for their VLBW infants in a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: Qualitative, phenomenological methods were used to better understand the milk expression experiences of 17 mothers of VLBW infants. In-depth interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step protocol, and themes were identified to illustrate the lived experience of the mothers. RESULTS: Five global themes emerged from interviews with mothers. However, this article focuses on one global theme, "I had one job and that was to make milk," and the supporting subthemes: (1) "I was heartbroken," (2) "Pumping is a full-time thing," and (3) "I literally sacrificed nights." CONCLUSION: This study provides insight into the complex experience that mothers in the southeastern United States undergo when expressing milk for their VLBW infants.
BACKGROUND: For very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants, breastfeeding may no longer be an immediate option. Mothers often turn to mechanically expressing their milk with a breast pump to provide their infantshuman milk. Research aim: This study aimed to describe mothers' experiences expressing milk for their VLBW infants in a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: Qualitative, phenomenological methods were used to better understand the milk expression experiences of 17 mothers of VLBW infants. In-depth interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step protocol, and themes were identified to illustrate the lived experience of the mothers. RESULTS: Five global themes emerged from interviews with mothers. However, this article focuses on one global theme, "I had one job and that was to make milk," and the supporting subthemes: (1) "I was heartbroken," (2) "Pumping is a full-time thing," and (3) "I literally sacrificed nights." CONCLUSION: This study provides insight into the complex experience that mothers in the southeastern United States undergo when expressing milk for their VLBW infants.
Entities:
Keywords:
breast milk expression; breast pump; breastfeeding; human milk; preterm infants; qualitative methods
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