Background Breast milk feeding has numerous benefits for women and infants. Positive maternal experiences with breast milk feeding impacts exclusivity, duration, and maternal mental health. Most research focuses on women feeding directly at the breast. Some women elect to feed exclusively expressed milk to their healthy, term infants rather than feed directly at the breast. Little is known about what constitutes a positive experience among this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore women’s experiences of exclusive expression (EE). Methods Interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams to collect qualitative data from a purposive sample of 21 women practicing EE. Interviews were analyzed for themes. Results Three themes: Unseen and Unheard, Doing it My Way, and Getting into the Groove, and 8 subthemes: Breast is Best, Missed Opportunities for Healthcare Provider Support, Fighting for it, What Works for Us, A Sense of Control, Preparation, Tricks of the Trade, and Making it Manageable were identified. Despite challenges, including a lack of support from healthcare providers and a lack of acknowledgement as breastfeeding mothers, exclusive expression offered participants a method to continue breast milk feeding in a way that they found to be satisfying. Conclusion This study provides insight into experiences of exclusive expression that clinicians can use to improve their support of breast milk feeding during perinatal encounters. Societal pressure to feed from the breast may have negative emotional consequences for women electing to exclusively express. There is a need for more information and support for breast milk expression from healthcare providers along with a reframing of how breast milk feeding is discussed and promoted.

Purpose:To provide understanding about feeding experiences of women who provide breast milk through direct breastfeeding and exclusive expression and to compare these experiences.Study Design and Methods:A qualitative study was conducted to gather experiences from the perspectives of women who had given birth to a healthy, term infant within the past 12 months and exclusively fed breast milk for at least 2 weeks. The sample was recruited from motherhood and breastfeeding support groups on Facebook. Groups had state- or national-based memberships. Interviews were examined for themes that were compared between feeding groups using thematic analysis.Results:Fifteen new mothers participated. Under the primary themes of Similarities and Differences, seven subthemes were identified: Fatigue, Importance of Support, Finding Joy in a Common Goal, Mixed Feelings, Trusting versus Tracking, Latching versus Body Failure, and Pumping in Isolation.Clinical Implications:Mothers who provide breast milk share common experiences and feelings of satisfaction. Expressed breast milk feeding offers some mothers a way to provide the benefits of breast milk while preserving a balance between maternal and infant physical and mental health needs. Understanding the different ways in which women manage breast milk feeding while balancing maternal and infant needs can prepare nurses to discuss various methods of breast milk feeding and provide individualized support.

Background It is time to get of the sofa! We are giving people with rheumatism an alternative way to train. For many people it is not enough just to walk and stay regularly fit. There are many who have rheumatism, but still think they can do just as others do. And we believe they can too. So we are helping them train for the biggest mountain bike race in Norway, Birkebeineren. The project is called !Sykt Aktiv”. Objectives There are 3 objectives. We want to show others that we can do what they can do. Rheumatism does not automatically mean that we have to stop doing all the fun stuff. And we need to show ourselves that we can do this. Even if you have pain in your muscles and joints, we will push extra hard and we shall succeed! Rebranding the Norwegian Rheumatism Association as a organization that takes challenges straight on and say. WE CAN DO IT! Methods Through advertisements and articles we have gathered a group of 28 people who have signed up for the project. Some were members already, some where not. They range from 22 and in fit shape to 50 and unfit. We will have 4 meetings before the race in august. The participants will meet a number of people who will talk to them about empowerment, training, exercise, cycling and nutrition. They will be given individual training schedules which will be renewed every 8 weeks. We are cooperating with several gyms, physiotherapists and others. Results In 2012 we only had two people cycling this race in our name. This year we have 28 who want to do so. We already have gotten a lot of attention on this project and others want to do other, similar activities. Our goal is that we get a lot of small groups around in the country that train a bit harder than the rest of us. This is not meant for everybody, but an alternative to those who feel they need the extra push. They might not need to participate in a bike race, but maybe run a local race, or climb a mountaintop. The sky is the limit, and we want you to try and reach for it. Conclusions We believe this is the right way to go to empower younger people in the organization and reach out to new potential members who want something different. They want to train, but know they have to respect their body. Here they can do so with others who understand their problems. Disclosure of Interest None Declared