Maria Monberg Feenstra1, Mette Jørgine Kirkeby2, Marianne Thygesen3, Dorthe B Danbjørg4, Hanne Kronborg5. 1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark. Electronic address: maria.feenstra@rsyd.dk. 2. Department of Occupational Medicine, Regional Hospital West Jutland - University Research Clinic, Gl. Landevej 61, 7400 Herning, Denmark. Electronic address: mettekirkeby@vest.rm.dk. 3. University of Southern Denmark, Department of Clinical Research & Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Valdemarsgade 53, 5700 Svendborg, Denmark. Electronic address: marianne.thygesen@rsyd.dk. 4. University of Southern Denmark, Department of Clinical Research & Centre for Innovative Medical Technology & Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark. Electronic address: dbdanbjorg@health.sdu.dk. 5. Section for Nursing, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Hoegh-Guldbergs Gade 6A, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. Electronic address: hk@ph.au.dk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Breastfeeding problems are common and associated with early cessation. Still length of postpartum hospital stay has been reduced. This leaves new mothers to establish breastfeeding at home with less support from health care professionals. The objective was to explore mothers' perspectives on when breastfeeding problems were the most challenging and prominent early postnatal. The aim was also to identify possible factors associated with the breastfeeding problems. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a mixed method approach was used to analyse postal survey data from 1437 mothers with full term singleton infants. Content analysis was used to analyse mothers' open text descriptions of their most challenging breastfeeding problem. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios for early breastfeeding problems according to sociodemographic- and psychosocial factors. RESULTS: Up to 40% of the mothers had experienced early breastfeeding problems. The problems were associated with the mother, the infant and to lack of support from health care professionals. Most prominent problems were infant's inability to latch on (40%) and mothers having sore, wounded and cracked nipples (38%). Pain often occurred when experiencing breastfeeding problems. Factors associated with the problems were primiparity, lower self-efficacy and lower self-perceived knowledge of breastfeeding. Mothers with no or short education reported less frequently breastfeeding problems. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding problems occurred frequently in the early postnatal period and often caused breastfeeding to be painful. Health care professionals should prepare mothers to deal with possible breastfeeding problems. New support options should be reviewed in an early postnatal discharge setting.
OBJECTIVES: Breastfeeding problems are common and associated with early cessation. Still length of postpartum hospital stay has been reduced. This leaves new mothers to establish breastfeeding at home with less support from health care professionals. The objective was to explore mothers' perspectives on when breastfeeding problems were the most challenging and prominent early postnatal. The aim was also to identify possible factors associated with the breastfeeding problems. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a mixed method approach was used to analyse postal survey data from 1437 mothers with full term singleton infants. Content analysis was used to analyse mothers' open text descriptions of their most challenging breastfeeding problem. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios for early breastfeeding problems according to sociodemographic- and psychosocial factors. RESULTS: Up to 40% of the mothers had experienced early breastfeeding problems. The problems were associated with the mother, the infant and to lack of support from health care professionals. Most prominent problems were infant's inability to latch on (40%) and mothers having sore, wounded and cracked nipples (38%). Pain often occurred when experiencing breastfeeding problems. Factors associated with the problems were primiparity, lower self-efficacy and lower self-perceived knowledge of breastfeeding. Mothers with no or short education reported less frequently breastfeeding problems. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding problems occurred frequently in the early postnatal period and often caused breastfeeding to be painful. Health care professionals should prepare mothers to deal with possible breastfeeding problems. New support options should be reviewed in an early postnatal discharge setting.
Authors: Abeer Salem Al Shahrani; Hessah Mamdouh Hushan; Noura Khalid Binjamaan; Wajd Abdulrahman Binhuwaimel; Jawaher Jazaa Alotaibi; Lama Ali Alrasheed Journal: J Family Med Prim Care Date: 2021-11-05