Mothers’ Perspectives on Effective Assistance With Breastfeeding Problems

Challenges with Breastfeeding: Pain, Nipple Trauma, and Perceived Insufficient Milk Supply

BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE

Breastfeeding problems are common; however, health care providers vary widely in their ability to address them effectively.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify the relative frequencies of common breastfeeding challenges and their associations with maternal well-being.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Women completed an online survey in which they described breastfeeding problems. Factor analysis was used to identify problems that co-occurred frequently, as well as the problems most strongly associated with maternal distress, maternal perceptions of greater severity, and postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety.

RESULTS

There were 535 responses to the online survey; of these, 457 answered the question about the nature of their breastfeeding difficulties. Pain with breastfeeding was the most common breastfeeding problem. Difficulties with milk supply and milk intake were most strongly associated with heightened maternal distress and perceptions of severity.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Coordinated care for breastfeeding dyads, in which providers acknowledge the complex and reciprocal nature of many breastfeeding problems, has the potential to improve maternal satisfaction with breastfeeding as well as breastfeeding metrics.

Caregivers' Experiences of Infant Feeding Problems: The Role of Self-Compassion and Stress Management

Introduction Infant feeding problems are strongly associated with caregiver stress, which in turn is linked to poorer outcomes for children. Self-compassion is a modifiable trait strongly associated with improved mental health and greater resilience. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among self-compassion, stress management practices, and caregiver stress in a sample of parents who identified feeding problems in their infants. Method Parents who identified feeding problems in their infants completed an online survey. They described the feeding problems, completed the Self-Compassion Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale, and detailed their stress management practices. Results Higher self-compassion was strongly associated with lower overall stress and more modestly associated with lower feeding-related distress. More severe feeding problems were significantly more stressful for caregivers. Participants reported a wide variety of stress management approaches. Discussion These findings indicate that higher self-compassion is associated with lower caregiver stress for parents whose infants experience feeding problems. Implications for service providers are reviewed. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14831028.

Changes in Speech-Language Pathology Students' Attitudes Toward Breastfeeding During a Pediatric Dysphagia Course

BACKGROUND

Speech-language pathologists provide infant feeding assessment and intervention; their training in breastfeeding management is highly variable. Research aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate student attitudes toward breastfeeding and self-identified factors in attitude change.

METHODS

Before and after their course in pediatric dysphagia, two cohorts of graduate students in speech-language pathology ( N = 36) completed an assignment designed to capture qualitative and quantitative data on changes in their attitudes toward breastfeeding. Students rated their reactions to two hypothetical breastfeeding scenarios before and after the class, which included multiple sources of information on the importance of human milk and on breastfeeding management. Additionally, they completed a postclass reflection describing the nature of any changes in their attitudes toward breastfeeding and their ideas about the factors that were responsible for these changes. Nonparametric statistical tests were used to assess quantitative results; the qualitative data were evaluated via content analysis to identify themes.

RESULTS

Significant positive changes in student attitudes were measured at the completion of the course. Students identified parents' stories as a particularly compelling component of their increased openness to breastfeeding.

CONCLUSION

Attitudes toward breastfeeding may improve significantly over a relatively short period of time following a targeted intervention. Implications for lactation consultants and continuing education providers are discussed.