Incompatible Expectations: The Dilemma of Breastfeeding Mothers

Abstract

The maternal process of managing established breastfeeding and, ultimately, weaning the child from the breast was explored using the grounded theory method. Data were analyzed from interview transcripts from mothers, field notes, postal questionnaires from fathers, and individual and discussion group interviews with child health nurses within a Western Australian context. A common social problem emerged for women in the management of their breastfeeding when personal expectations were found to oppose the expectations of others. Being confronted with these incompatible expectations resulted in confusion, self-doubt, and guilt for mothers. These findings are discussed to assist health professionals support breastfeeding mothers.

‘I only give advice if I am asked’: Examining the grandmother's potential to influence infant feeding decisions and parenting practices of new mothers

“…The issues regarding professional support, particularly conflicting advice; observed by the grandmothers in this study, have been reported in other studies. 17,22,29 Midwives have identified that they want a greater understanding of how to support breastfeeding women and that increased workloads deny them the time and opportunity to give better support and to access research that would inform the support. 30 The results of this study extend beyond the notion of 'being helpful, updating my knowledge and learning together' as outlined in the study of grandmothers by Grassley and Eschiti 8 to highlight the potentially precarious nature of the grandmother/new mother relationship.…”

“…21 While new mothers may listen to the grandmother, there is some evidence that mothers will check the grandmothers' advice with another source that they consider credible before following it. 22 In addition, the reality that grandmothers in this study were all juggling many competing roles and obligations could potentially limit their capacity to participate in child care and 'be available' to the new mother. Therefore it is possible, that in some cases, the new mother defers to others for help and advice in order to avoid being another burden on the grandmother.…”

Understanding Maternal Breastfeeding Confidence: A Gadamerian Hermeneutic Analysis of Women's Stories

“…The women in this study experienced maternal breastfeeding confidence as a complex interaction between developing expectations, breastfeeding their babies, and gaining support. Although other studies have investigated the importance of expectations (Hauck & Irurita, 2003), infant behavior (Lothian, 1995), and support (Dykes et al, 2003) to breastfeeding success, this study describes how they interact to influence women's breastfeeding confidence. This study contributes to the literature by identifying experiences that enhance or diminish women's confidence.…”

“…They identified the following experiences as important to continued breastfeeding: adequate support from nurses in the early postpartum period (Dykes et al, 2003;Gill, 2001;Hong, Callister, & Schwartz, 2003), expectations (Hauck & Irurita, 2003;Whelan & Lupton, 1997), a commitment to breastfeeding and help from female relatives (Nelson & Sethi, 2005;Tarrant et al, 2004;Whelan & Lupton), women's perceptions of their milk supply (Dykes & Williams, 1999;Mozingo, Davis, Droppleman, & Merideth, 2000;, and infant breastfeeding behavior (Lothian, 1995 continued breastfeeding, concluded that the infant's behavioral responses to breastfeeding influenced mothers' interpretation of their ability to breastfeed. Hoddinott and Pill (1999) found that a woman's confidence in her ability to breastfeed influenced her feeding decisions during early pregnancy.…”

“…Researchers have identified maternal breastfeeding confidence as important to breastfeeding duration for women living in diverse areas of the world such as Hong Kong (Tarrant, Dodgson, & Choi, 2004), Puerto Rico (Torres, Torres, Rodríquez, & Dennis, 2003), Australia (Blyth et al, 2002;Hauck & Irurita, 2003;Papinczak & Turner, 2000), the United Kingdom (Dykes, Moran, Burt, & Edwards, 2003;Dykes & Williams, 1999;Hoddinott & Pill, 1999;Whelan & Lupton, 1997), Canada (Dennis & Faux, 1999;Dennis, 2003) and the United States (Cleveland & McCrone, 2005;Ertem, Votto, & Leventhal, 2001;O'Campo, Faden, Gielen, & Wang, 1992). Increasing breastfeeding duration, an important strategy for improving the health of the world's women and children, is a priority of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2002), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 2005), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS, 2000).…”