How formula feeding mothers balance risks and define themselves as ‘good mothers’

The enablers and barriers to continue breast milk feeding in women returning to work

“…‘Equivalent’ mothers claimed that infant formula had high nutritional value and therefore was an acceptable alternative for their infants (Ludlow et al . ). Believing they had ‘milk insufficiency’, Equivalent mothers justified their infant formula choice as the behaviour of a responsible mother.…”

When ‘breast’ is no longer ‘best’: Post-partum constructions of infant-feeding in the hospital

“…This issue of whether and/or how mothers' choices are supported after birth is not a key focus of the initiation and duration literature. While current research recognizes that not all women desire or have an exclusive and therefore 'successful' breastfeeding experience (Ludlow et al, 2012), it importantly overlooks the multiple ways in which breastfeeding is achieved.…”

A qualitative study exploring factors associated with mothers’ decisions to formula-feed their infants in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

“…The Breastfeeding Research Group (BFRG), under the umbrella of the Baby-Friendly Council of NL (formerly the Breastfeeding Coalition of NL), has established a multidisciplinary team to develop research focused on infant feeding in NL [14,24,25]. The BFRG is an experienced team of researchers, health care providers, research users and policy makers who are interested in understanding why breastfeeding rates are so low in NL, with the long-term goal of improving rates of initiation and duration and positively impacting the population’s overall health and well-being.…”

“…In some regions of the province, the rates of formula feeding are very high, even though many women appear to know the benefits of breastfeeding. Women in these regions appear resistant to changing their choice of infant feeding method and often rationalize their decisions to formula-feed [24,25]. …”