Breastfeeding trajectories of young and short-term educated mothers and their partners; experiences of a journey facing tailwind and headwind

OBJECTIVE

To explore needs, experiences and socio-cultural context of young and short-term educated mothers and their partners affecting breastfeeding duration and self-efficacy during pregnancy and the first months following birth.

DESIGN

A qualitative study was conducted using Malterud's method of Systematic Text Condensation.

SETTING

Data collection took place in two rural regions in Denmark between October and December 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirteen interviews (eight mothers and five fathers), four focus group interviews (24 health visitors) and seven observations of home visits by health visitors were performed. The mothers were below 25 years and had short-term education.

FINDINGS

Four themes formed the narrative "Setting off and carrying through a breastfeeding journey": 1) Bringing your unique story of life into the breastfeeding journey, 2) Looking forward to a natural breastfeeding, 3) Facing breastfeeding and the intrusive needs of the baby, and 4) Adaptation to breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Each of these describing barriers and facilitators regarding breastfeeding and breastfeeding self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Becoming familiar with breastfeeding and developing a relationship with the baby posed common challenges for the young and short-term educated mothers and their partners. However, the process was embedded in the parents' unique and often fragile socio-cultural everyday life influencing breastfeeding and breastfeeding self-efficacy. The relationship with the health visitor was essential for the parents' benefit of breastfeeding support, which underscores the importance of viewing adequate breastfeeding support as a relational phenomenon including socio-cultural, parent-baby, and health visitor-parent perspectives in young and short-term educated parents.

Experiences of young Australian mothers with infant feeding

BACKGROUND

Despite the overwhelming evidence of health and other benefits of breastfeeding and recommendations to breastfeed by peak health bodies, breastfeeding rates are significantly lower than recommended in Australia and globally. Young mothers are identified as being at high risk of not breastfeeding their infants according to infant feeding recommendations. This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of young Australian mothers' experiences of infant feeding, and to explore the factors which facilitated or hindered adherence to recommended breastfeeding practices.

METHODS

Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit young mothers in Australia (n = 17) aged 18-25 years who had given birth to their first child within the last two years. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews via online videoconferencing. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and subsequently analysed. Thematic analysis was conducted using Quirkos, a qualitative data management and analysis software.

RESULTS

Four major themes were identified: Breastfeeding is challenging; Feeling judged about infant feeding choices; Experiences with breastfeeding support; and Experiences and views on breastfeeding education. Most mothers reported experiencing breastfeeding challenges, particularly those arising from lactation difficulties, yet many were able to overcome these challenges through their determination to breastfeed. Many mothers expressed perceiving judgement from others for breastfeeding in public. Some mothers who were bottle feeding their infants, whether with expressed breast milk or infant formula, felt that they were being judged for using a bottle. Many mothers reported professional, partner, family, and peer support as critical facilitators to the continuation of breastfeeding. Most mothers shared positive experiences of attending breastfeeding education sessions, but indicated the need for community education to reduce judgement toward mothers' infant feeding decisions.

CONCLUSIONS

The barriers and enablers to infant feeding experienced by young mothers are similar to those experienced by mothers of all ages. Young mothers experience significant breastfeeding challenges and need support from partner, family, peers, and professionals to continue breastfeeding in line with recommendations. Breastfeeding campaigns to support young mothers should be aimed at the wider community to increase awareness of breastfeeding challenges, reduce stigma associated with breastfeeding in public, and to support mothers in their infant feeding decisions.

Exploring psychological factors associated with breastfeeding in women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2

OBJECTIVE

Women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² are less likely to initiate and maintain breastfeeding compared to normal-weight women. Psychological factors have been linked with breastfeeding, but their influence on women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² experiences needs further exploration. The aim of this study was to investigate whether psychological factors are voiced by women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², and how these factors influence their breastfeeding.

DESIGN

A secondary analysis of eighteen semi-structured interviews with women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² who had breastfed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Deductive thematic analysis was used to apply a framework of psychological factors to the data, and investigate the extent to which they feature within the women's breastfeeding experiences.

RESULTS

All psychological factors were reported as part of women's experiences. Planning to breastfeed, planning short durations and having high confidence, factual and social knowledge positively influenced initiation and maintenance. Believing in their ability to produce nutritionally adequate and sufficient milk, that breastfeeding would assist weight loss, and that others around them approved of breastfeeding also had a positive impact. Novel relationships between psychological factors were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological factors influence women's breastfeeding experiences. A model of breastfeeding in women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² has been developed, and can inform future intervention development.

Breastfeeding Duration and the Theory of Planned Behavior and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Framework: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Introduction Numerous studies have shown that the constructs of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy (BSE) Framework can effectively identify relationships between maternal psychosocial factors and breastfeeding initiation. However, the ability of these theories to predict breastfeeding duration has not been adequately analyzed. The aim of the review was to examine the utility of the constructs of TRA/TPB and BSE to predict breastfeeding duration. Methods We conducted a literature search using Pubmed (1980-May 2015), Medline (1966-May 2015), CINAHL (1980-May 2015), EMBASE (1980-May 2015) and PsycINFO (1980-May 2015). We selected studies that were observational studies without randomization or blinding, using TRA, TPB or BSE as the framework for analysis. Only studies reporting on breastfeeding duration were included. Results Thirty studies were selected, which include four using TRA, 10 using TPB, 15 using BSE and one using a combination of TPB and BSE. Maternal intention and breastfeeding self-efficacy were found to be important predictors of breastfeeding duration. Inconsistent findings were found in assessing the relationship between maternal attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavior control and breastfeeding duration. Discussion The inadequacy of these constructs in explaining breastfeeding duration indicates a need to further explore the role of maternal self-determination in breastfeeding behavior.

Explaining infant feeding: The role of previous personal and vicarious experience on attitudes, subjective norms, self-efficacy, and breastfeeding outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Breastfeeding confers important health benefits to both infants and their mothers, but rates are low in the United Kingdom and other developed countries despite widespread promotion. This study examined the relationships between personal and vicarious experience of infant feeding, self-efficacy, the theory of planned behaviour variables of attitudes and subjective norm, and the likelihood of breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks post-natally.

DESIGN

A prospective questionnaire study of both first-time mothers (n = 77) and experienced breastfeeders (n = 72) recruited at an antenatal clinic in South East England.

METHODS

Participants completed a questionnaire at 32 weeks pregnant assessing personal and vicarious experience of infant feeding (breastfeeding, formula-feeding, and maternal grandmother's experience of breastfeeding), perceived control, self-efficacy, intentions, attitudes (to breastfeeding and formula-feeding), and subjective norm. Infant feeding behaviour was recorded at 6-8 weeks post-natally. Multiple linear regression modelled the influence of vicarious experience on attitudes, subjective norm, and self-efficacy (but not perceived control) and modelled the influence of attitude, subjective norm, self-efficacy, and past experience on intentions to breastfeed. Logistic regression modelled the likelihood of breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks.

RESULTS

Previous experience (particularly personal experience of breastfeeding) explained a significant amount of variance in attitudes, subjective norm, and self-efficacy. Intentions to breastfeed were predicted by subjective norm and attitude to formula-feeding and, in experienced mothers, self-efficacy. Breastfeeding at 6 weeks was predicted by intentions and vicarious experience of formula-feeding.

CONCLUSION

Vicarious experience, particularly of formula-feeding, has been shown to influence the behaviour of first-time and experienced mothers both directly and indirectly via attitudes and subjective norm. Interventions that reduce exposure to formula-feeding (perhaps by limiting advertising) or cushion mothers from its effects may enable more mothers to meet their breastfeeding goals. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Rates of breastfeeding in the United Kingdom are low and resistant to change. Self-efficacy may be an important and modifiable factor for breastfeeding initiation and maintenance. What does this study add? Self-efficacy may only be a relevant factor among mothers who already have personal experience of breastfeeding. Vicarious experience of formula-feeding has been shown to be related to a lower rate of breastfeeding at 6 weeks.

Autoeficácia na amamentação e duração do aleitamento materno exclusivo entre mães adolescentes

Resumo Objetivo Verificar a associação entre a autoeficácia na amamentação de mães adolescentes e a duração do aleitamento materno exclusivo. Métodos Estudo longitudinal e prospectivo. Para avaliação da autoeficácia na amamentação foi utilizada a versão brasileira da Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale na maternidade, e para avaliação da alimentação da criança foi aplicado um questionário, por meio de contato telefônico, com 30, 60 e 180 dias pós-parto. Resultados 56,90% das participantes apresentaram alto nível de autoeficácia para amamentar. A prevalência AME foi de 62% em 30 dias, 52,59% em 60 dias e 16% em 180 dias pós-parto. Não houve associação significativa entre a confiança com a duração do aleitamento materno exclusivo. Conclusão A confiança não foi um fator preditivo da prevalência do aleitamento materno exclusivo. entre as mães adolescentes. No entanto, evidencia-se a necessidade de novas estratégias para que as adolescentes que passam por intercorrências nestes períodos sejam acolhidas e auxiliadas.

Validação de um álbum seriado para promoção da autoeficácia em amamentar

OBJETIVO: Validar o conteúdo e a aparência do álbum seriado "Eu posso amamentar meu filho", junto às puérperas internadas no alojamento conjunto. MÉTODOS: Estudo de validação das figuras do álbum seriado quanto à aparência (clareza/compreensão) e conteúdo (relevância), realizado com 21 puérperas. Foi utilizado um instrumento que incluiu um questionário dissertativo, avaliação de conteúdo, aparência e motivação e das características sociodemográficas das mulheres. RESULTADOS: Todas as ilustrações foram consideradas claras e compreensíveis, no entanto, a Figura 6 apresentou 85,7% de relevância e as demais se mantiveram entre 90% e 100%. O índice de validade de conteúdo global para o álbum seriado foi de 0,92 para todas as figuras. CONCLUSÃO: O álbum encontra-se apto para ser utilizado em outras pesquisas e na prática diária com mulheres, seja na comunidade ou no âmbito hospitalar, como é o caso do alojamento conjunto.

Influência de estratégia de educação em saúde mediada por álbum seriado sobre a autoeficácia materna para amamentar

Objetivou-se verificar a autoeficácia da puérpera em amamentar, antes e após a intervenção educativa. Optou-se por um estudo quantitativo, desenvolvido com 100 puérperas de uma maternidade pública de Fortaleza-CE. Antes e após aplicação do álbum seriado "Eu posso amamentar o meu filho", foram realizadas entrevistas utilizando dois formulários abordando dados de identificação da puérpera e a Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form. Constatou-se um aumento dos escores da escala após a utilização da intervenção educativa, sobretudo em puérperas com características específicas, já que se observou associação estatisticamente significante entre as seguintes variáveis: idade entre 20-29 anos; estado civil casado/união consensual; número de cinco a sete moradores na casa; puérperas que exerciam atividades remuneradas fora do lar e rendas familiares de dois a oito salários mínimos. Conclui-se que a tecnologia educativa implementada às puérperas foi eficaz no aumento da autoeficácia materna em amamentar, podendo resultar, consequentemente, no alcance de boas taxas de aleitamento materno.

Factors influencing initiation and duration of breast feeding in Ireland

The aim of this research was to identify factors associated with mothers breast feeding and to identify, for those who breast fed, factors associated with breast feeding for as long as planned.

BACKGROUND

breast feeding rates in Ireland are amongst the lowest in Europe. Research evidence indicates that in order for mothers to be successful at breast feeding, multiplicities of supports are necessary for both initiation and duration. The nature of these supports in tandem with other influencing factors requires analysis from an Irish perspective.

DESIGN

cross-sectional study involving public health nurses and mothers in Ireland. This paper presents the results of the mothers' evaluation.

METHOD

mothers (n=1715) with children less than three years were offered a choice of completing the self-report questionnaires online or by mail. Data were analysed and reported using descriptive and inferential statistics.

FINDINGS

four in every five participants breast fed their infant and two thirds of them breast fed as long as planned. The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that third level education, being a first time mother or previously having breast fed, participating online, having more than two public health nurse visits, and having a positive infant feeding attitude were independently and statistically significantly associated with breast feeding. Among mothers who breast fed, being aged at least 35 years, participating online, having a positive infant feeding attitude and high breast feeding self-efficacy were independently and statistically significantly associated with breast feeding for as long as planned.

CONCLUSIONS

findings from this study reinforce health inequalities therefore there needs to be a renewed commitment to reducing health inequalities in relation to breast feeding.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

this study has identified factors associated with initiation and duration of breast feeding that are potentially modifiable through public health interventions.