Toward a Situation-Specific Theory of Breastfeeding

What gypsy mothers say about breastfeeding

OBJECTIVE

To know and deepen in the evaluation, and experience of gypsy women with breastfeeding.

METHOD

Qualitative study with an interpretative phenomenological approach, through a focus group with the participation of six mothers of gypsy ethnicity, users of the Fuente de San Luis Health Center in the city of Valencia.

RESULTS

The barriers described by these mothers regarding breastfeeding refer to a lack of family support, an association of breastfeeding to sacrifice and to the dependence of the baby to the breast. From the accounts of these mothers it is perceived, a disinterest in breastfeeding and a lack of confidence in their own bilogy, which together with a low participation in maternal education activities, have meant the barriers that have mostly limited and largely hindered breastfeeding in this group of mothers.

CONCLUSIONS

It would be desirable to implement improvement actions that would pay more attention to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in this group.

Demystifying Nursing Theory: A Christian Nursing Perspective

How does nursing theory apply to nursing practice? Nursing theory can explain the why and how of nursing practice, guide nursing interventions, and provide a framework for measuring outcomes. This article briefly explains nursing theory, provides examples for applying theory to nursing practice, and proposes questions for examining the consistency of nursing theories with Christian perspectives. A helpful table illustrating grand, middle-range, and situation-specific theories and their application to nursing practice and research, along with references, is provided online as supplemental digital content. Three caring theories are analyzed from biblical beliefs.

The status quo of situation-specific theories

The purpose of this article is to explore the status quo of situation-specific theories through an integrated literature review on situation-specific theories that have been published since 1999. The literature was searched through multiple databases including PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO and analyzed in terms of purpose of theorizing, types of theorizing, sources of theorizing, and linkages to research or practice. Four themes reflecting the current status of situation-specific theories were extracted: (a) explicitly claimed and not explicitly claimed situation-specific theories; (b) multiple philosophical bases; (c) unique theorizing process; and (d) providing clear directions for nursing interventions but rarely evaluated. Nurses need to continuously make their efforts to develop theoretical bases that could closely link theory, research, and practice in nursing and that could adequately serve new nursing needs and challenges.

Trade-offs underlying maternal breastfeeding decisions: a conceptual model

This paper presents a new conceptual model that generates predictions about breastfeeding decisions and identifies interactions that affect outcomes. We offer a contextual approach to infant feeding that models multi-directional influences by expanding on the evolutionary parent-offspring conflict and situation-specific breastfeeding theories. The main hypothesis generated from our framework suggests that simultaneously addressing breastfeeding costs and benefits, in relation to how they are interpreted by mothers, will be most effective. Our approach focuses on contributors to the attitudes and commitment underlying breastfeeding outcomes, beginning in the prenatal period. We conclude that some maternal-offspring conflict is inherent with the dynamic infant feeding relationship. Guidance that anticipates and addresses family trade-offs over time can be incorporated into breastfeeding support for families.

Concept Analysis of Effective Breastfeeding

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to analyze and clarify the concept of the effective breastfeeding.

METHODS

This study used Walker and Avant's process of concept analysis.

RESULTS

Effective breastfeeding is how to give infant adequate milk, which fulfills needs of mother and infant, from her breast so that they can be satisfied with the process and results. It included the effective breastfeeding properties as follows: feeding behaviors (positioning, latch on, and suckling), transferring a breast milk to an infant, mother-infant interaction, and satisfying their desires (satisfaction, comfort, mother's self-confidence, infant's adequate weight gain and defecation, adequate breastfeeding interval). The antecedent of effective breastfeeding were anatomical and functional normal breast, breastfeeding knowledge and steady-state of mother, and feeding desire, rooting reflex and normal oral cavity of infant. The consequences of effective breastfeeding were exclusive breastfeeding, infant and maternal health and wellbeing, and achievement of mother and infant attachment.

CONCLUSION

The meaning of effective breastfeeding defined in this study will contribute to develop the effectiveness breastfeeding assessment tool and the nursing intervention for ineffective breastfeeding.

Maternal Variables Influencing Duration of Breastfeeding Among Low-Income Mothers

This study used a retrospective comparison of 2 naturally occurring groups, first to examine how exclusive versus partial breastfeeding relates to duration of breastfeeding and, second, to determine if factors such as age and body mass index are associated with exclusive versus partial breastfeeding duration. These factors were hypothesized to influence the amount of breastfeeding in a sample of 42 low-income mothers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children of a predominately rural, Midwestern county. This study examined de-identified data from a state database spanning a calendar year. Breastfeeding behavior, age, and body mass index measurements for mothers giving birth within the first 6 months of that year were analyzed. Exclusive breastfeeding mothers breastfed longer, were of older age, and had lower body mass indexes than partial breastfeeding mothers. These findings further describe characteristics of low-income breastfeeding women. Understanding how factors associated with exclusive versus partial breastfeeding affect breastfeeding duration may inform clinicians and researchers of areas for future interventions.

Maternal-newborn nurses? experiences of inconsistent professional breastfeeding support

AIM

This paper is a report of a study to describe the meaning and significance of common, essential elements of inconsistent professional breastfeeding support as revealed through the experiences of maternal-newborn nurses in a hospital.

BACKGROUND

Professional breastfeeding support has been found to have a beneficial effect on breastfeeding, although mothers also report that inconsistent professional breastfeeding support has a negative influence on their breastfeeding efforts.

METHOD

An existential-phenomenological approach was used, and interviews were conducted with 12 maternal-newborn nurses between October 2005 and January 2006. Interview transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

Inconsistency in professional breastfeeding support was directly related to the fact that 'supporting' breastfeeding is a dynamic, multidimensional process with relational, contextual and situational components. Eight themes were identified: Inconsistencies still exist but things are changing; A need for 'buy in'; There is no escaping personal experience; What works for one does not work for all; Time impacts recommendations; We have a privileged vantage point; 'My job': what it is and what it is not and After all, breastfeeding is a maternal 'choice'.

CONCLUSION

Addressing inconsistent professional breastfeeding support involves understanding the multiple institutional and personal factors that influence this phenomenon. Because multiple practitioners assist each mother-infant dyad in learning to breastfeed, fostering strong collaborative relationships within this support team is essential. Regular opportunities for all team members to dialogue and actively participate in the updating of breastfeeding policies may increase 'buy in', promote greater collaboration and decrease both conflict and inconsistencies.