Supporting breastfeeding mothers: qualitative synthesis

McInnes, Rhona J.; Chambers, Julie A.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04618.x

Cited by 245 publications

(254 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Approval and encouragement of breastfeeding by partners and significant others is particularly valued by breastfeeding women (Lavender, McFadden, & Baker, 2006;Scott & Mostyn, 2003), as is practical support with domestic activities (McInnes & Chambers, 2008). Decisions related to the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding appear to be informed by the beliefs and expectations of partners and maternal mothers (Hauck & Irurita, 2003;Rempel & Rempel, 2004).…”

Section: The Social Context Of Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Third, many of the studies that have explicitly focused on women's perceptions of the impact of others on breastfeeding have had the pragmatic aim of examining what kind of support is beneficial. Although this work has highlighted issues such as the importance of congruence between the mother's breastfeeding goals and the expectations of others (see McInnes & Chambers, 2008 for a review), there has been limited concern with developing a social scientific understanding of breastfeeding and exploring how 'successful' breastfeeding is taken up and accommodated by the social network as a whole. There has also been limited exploration of the part that others may play in making sense of breastfeeding difficulties such as pain, problems attaching the baby to the breast and perception of insufficient milk supply, which have been identified in recent research (Berridge, McFadden, Abayomi, & Topping, 2005;Bins & Scott, 2002).…”

Section: The Social Context Of Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Socially sensitive lactation: Exploring the social context of breastfeeding

Leeming

Williamson

Lyttle

et al. 2013

Psychology & Health

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Many women report difficulties with breastfeeding and do not maintain the practice for as long as intended. Although psychologists and other researchers have explored some of the difficulties they experience, fuller exploration of the relational contexts in which breastfeeding takes place is warranted to enable more in-depth analysis of the challenges these pose for breastfeeding women. The present paper is based on qualitative data collected from 22 first-time breastfeeding mothers through two phases of interviews and audio-diaries which explored how the participants experienced their relationships with significant others and the wider social context of breastfeeding in the first five weeks postpartum. Using a thematic analysis informed by symbolic interactionism, we develop the overarching theme of 'Practising socially sensitive lactation' which captures how participants felt the need to manage tensions between breastfeeding and their perceptions of the needs, expectations and comfort of others. We argue that breastfeeding remains a problematic social act, despite its agreed importance for child health. Whilst acknowledging the limitations of our sample and analytic approach, we suggest ways in which perinatal and public health interventions can take more effective account of the social challenges of breastfeeding in order to facilitate the health and psychological well-being of mothers and their infants.

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Section: The Social Context Of Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Social Context Of Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socially sensitive lactation: Exploring the social context of breastfeeding

Leeming

Williamson

Lyttle

et al. 2013

Psychology & Health

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“…3,[6][7][8] Expanding the ''dyad'' to a ''triad'' recognizes the importance of the male partner in supporting and strengthening breastfeeding efforts. [8][9][10] However, little research has been conducted to measure the association between male partners' attitudes and intended infant feeding methods.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Breastfeeding Attitudes: Association Between Maternal and Male Partner Attitudes and Breastfeeding Intent

Mitchell‐Box

Braun

Hurwitz

et al. 2013

Breastfeeding Medicine

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Breastfeeding is considered the best infant feeding method, yet initiation and duration rates in the United States are lower than recommended by medical and public health professionals. Positive attitudes toward breastfeeding of the male partner are important in a mother's success at initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. This study measured the infant feeding attitudes of low-income women and their male partners using the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS), investigated the reliability and validity of the measure in male partners, and examined the associations of the partner's attitudes with the mother's attitudes and intention to breastfeed. A convenience sample of 112 pregnant women and their male partners completed a survey including sociodemographic items, the IIFAS, and their intended infant feeding method in the hospital and in the first few weeks after the infant's birth (breastfeeding, formula feeding, mixed, and don't know). Mother's and partner's IIFAS scores were highly correlated, and higher scores of both mothers and partners were significantly associated with their intentions to breastfeed. With each increased point on mother's and partner's IIFAS scores, the odds that the mother and her partner intended to breastfeed in the first few weeks increased 12% and 20%, respectively. This is the first U.S. study to validate the IIFAS with male partners. Future research on breastfeeding attitudes and attitude-changing interventions is needed to see if improving partners' attitudes toward breastfeeding will also improve mothers' attitudes and if that increases initiation and duration of breastfeeding.

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“…Additionally, a meta-analysis of qualitative studies has rated social support to be more important than health service support. 3 This might hold truer in the Indian setting, where the role of family members and community in supporting and encouraging the mother to breastfeed has a greater impact in determining the mother's behaviour. Finally, it is also important to consider that the improvement of the quality of BFH needs strong and dedicated initiatives from the government, institution, community, as well as the individual.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%