“Don’t Feel Like You Have to Do This All on Your Own”: Exploring Perceived Partner Support of Breastfeeding Among Black Women in Kentucky

Abstract

Background: Few researchers have explored partner breastfeeding support among Black women, who report low breastfeeding rates compared to women of other cultural groups. Ways to encourage partner support of Black women’s breastfeeding can be understood from an Afrocentric perspective. Research Aim: To explore perceptions of partner support among Black mothers to develop a culturally relevant framework of partner breastfeeding support. Methods: Secondary data analyses of qualitative data from a larger prospective, cross-sectional mixed methods study were utilized. Participants from Kentucky ( N = 14), aged 23–71, who breastfed for at least 6 months, were recruited to participate in individual interviews. Professionally transcribed interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis. Results: By integrating the Breastfeeding Coparenting Framework and Optimal Conceptual Theory, we identified four culturally affirming partner support themes that participants believed impacted their breastfeeding experiences: (a) doing research, (b) offering care, (c) verbalizing praise, and (d) achieving teamwork, and three culturally incongruent partner support barrier themes: (e) withdrawing commitment, (f) politicking bodies, and (g) stripping agency. Conclusion: Participants who breastfed for at least 6 months largely attributed their breastfeeding success to the support received from their partners. Our findings offer a culturally relevant framework of partner breastfeeding support that can facilitate intervention efforts with participants and their partners to increase breastfeeding rates among this population.

Experiences With Work-Family Conflict, Breastfeeding, and Perinatal Mental Health Among Women Returning to Work After Giving Birth

“…For example, one systematic review found little evidence for an association between exclusive breastfeeding and receiving social support from friends and family 56 . However, qualitative research has revealed social support from partners/spouses was critical for women to meet their breastfeeding goals and lack of support impeded women from meeting their breastfeeding goals 57,58 . In terms of mental health, previous research has established that social support from partners, family members, and friends are protective factors against the development of adverse mental health outcomes among working mothers 44,45,59,60 .…”

“…56 However, qualitative research has revealed social support from partners/spouses was critical for women to meet their breastfeeding goals and lack of support impeded women from meeting their breastfeeding goals. 57,58 In terms of mental health, previous research has established that social support from partners, family members, and friends are protective factors against the development of adverse mental health outcomes among working mothers. 44,45,59,60 However, more research is needed to understand the relationships between social support and work-family conflict.…”

Reliability and Validity of the German Version of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS-G) and relations to breastfeeding duration and feeding method

“…or convenience (e.g., Item 6 "Formula-feeding is the better choice if the mother plans to work outside the home"), and thus the removed items may contribute less to a homogeneous construct. Moreover, we assume that Item 11 may be more closely related to social norms or support, which alongside attitudes towards breastfeeding in uence breastfeeding behavior and duration (52).…”