Working mothers’ breastfeeding experience: a phenomenology qualitative approach

Abstract

Background Breastfeeding practice is influenced by the mother’s attitude toward and knowledge of breastfeeding. Working mothers face many challenges and need support to maintain breastfeeding. This study aimed to explore working mothers’ breastfeeding experiences and challenges that can influenced their practices. Methods The qualitative phenomenological approach involving working mothers in Kota Bharu who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and consented to participate in the study were recruited using purposive sampling. Sixteen participants aged 24 to 46 years were interviewed using semi-structured in-depth interviews in the study. All interviews were recorded in digital audio, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings Three main themes emerged from the data analysis: perception of breastfeeding, challenges in breastfeeding, and support for breastfeeding. Two subthemes for perceptions were perception towards breastfeeding and towards infant formula. Challenges had two subthemes too which were related to perceived insufficient milk and breastfeeding difficulty. Where else, two subthemes for support were internal support (spouse and family) and external support (friends, employer, and healthcare staff). Conclusions Maintaining breastfeeding after return to work is challenging for working mothers and majority of them need support to continue breastfeeding practice. Support from their spouses and families’ influences working mothers’ decision to breastfeed. Employers play a role in providing a support system and facilities in the workplace for mothers to express and store breast milk. Both internal and external support are essential for mothers to overcome challenges in order to achieve success in breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Practices (Initiation, Exclusivity, Duration) During the First Six Months of an Infant’s Life among Caesarean Mothers in Selangor

“…Concerning that, further findings indicated that the likelihood of breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months among those working mothers is slightly higher than those who were housewives. It is also affirmed by the findings for the research done (13), which explains how challenging it is for working mothers to practice and continue breastfeeding practice once they returned to work. However, positive breastfeeding outcomes are predicted when working mothers received breastfeeding supports from spouse, family members, friends and even limited movements as well as frustration due to the need for assistance which further affect breastfeeding practices (17).…”

Continued breastfeeding and work: scenario of maternal persistence and resilience

“…In the words of these women, work ends up causing overload and fatigue. The lack of time in the work routine prevents breast milk expression, favoring the gradual reduction of milk production, increasing the risk of breast complications and generating frustration and abandonment in maintaining lactation ( 11 , 13 ) . The need for daily expression to guarantee the reserve of milk to be offered to children in maternal absence, a condition that seems to be common in different scenarios, is another source of stress and anxiety, in addition to the maternal sleep deprivation experienced since the beginning of breastfeeding ( 9 , 11 ) .…”

Amamentação continuada e trabalho: cenário de persistência e resiliência materna

“…e gerando frustração e desistência em manter a lactação (11,13) . A necessidade de extração diária para garantir a reserva de leite a ser ofertado para a criança na ausência materna, condição essa que parece ser comum em diferentes cenários, é outra fonte de estresse e ansiedade, acrescido à privação de sono materno experimentada desde o início da amamentação (9,11) .…”