A qualitative study on the breastfeeding experience of mothers of preterm infants in the first 12\u2009months after birth

Lina Palmér,Jenny Ericson

doi:10.1186/s13006-019-0229-6

Abstract

BackgroundBeing a mother of a preterm infant (< 37 gestational weeks) puts the mother in a vulnerable and fragile situation wherein breastfeeding is an important part of becoming a mother and bonding with the infant. Nevertheless, the breastfeeding experience of mothers during the first year after a preterm birth has not been well studied. To develop professional caring and supporting relationships, it is important to address this knowledge gap. The aim of this study was to describe the breastfeeding experience of mothers of preterm infants from birth up until 12 months after birth.MethodsThe data in this qualitative study are derived from a multicentre randomized controlled trial where 270 mothers of preterm infants provided 496 written comments through questionnaires containing open-ended questions. The questionnaires were sent to the mother three times during the first 12 months after birth. A thematic network analysis based on hermeneutical philosophy was used to analyse and interpret the resulting data to describe the mothers’ experiences of breastfeeding.ResultsThree organizing themes, namely, “navigating smoothly,” “navigating with a struggle” and “navigating in ambiguity” were revealed in the mothers’ narratives regarding their breastfeeding experiences during the first 12 months after birth. These organizing themes were further interpreted as one global theme that was deemed “A journey to finding one’s unique way in breastfeeding.”ConclusionMothers of preterm infants are in an exposed and vulnerable situation when initiating breastfeeding during the first year. This situation leads to a unique journey wherein each mother navigates through breastfeeding depending on her individual situation. An awareness of the diversity of breastfeeding experiences may contribute to the provision of professional caring and supportive relationships.Trial registrationwww.clinicaltrial.gov NCT01806480 registered 7 March 2013.

Highlights

Being a mother of a preterm infant (< 37 gestational weeks) puts the mother in a vulnerable and fragile situation wherein breastfeeding is an important part of becoming a mother and bonding with the infant
Previous studies described that mothers of preterm infants are in a vulnerable situation, and that breastfeeding is an important part of becoming a new mother and bonding
The following three organizing themes were revealed in the mothers’ narratives regarding their breastfeeding experiences during the first 12 months after birth: “navigating smoothly”, “navigating with a struggle” and “navigating in ambiguity.”. These organizing themes were summarized in one global theme: “a journey to find one’s unique way in breastfeeding” (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Being a mother of a preterm infant (< 37 gestational weeks) puts the mother in a vulnerable and fragile situation wherein breastfeeding is an important part of becoming a mother and bonding with the infant. The aim of this study was to describe the breastfeeding experience of mothers of preterm infants from birth up until 12 months after birth. Previous studies described that mothers of preterm infants are in a vulnerable situation, and that breastfeeding is an important part of becoming a new mother and bonding. Very few studies have described mothers’ experiences of breastfeeding during the first 12 months after the birth of a preterm infant [9]. It is important to examine each mother’s experience of breastfeeding their preterm infant because each individual mother has the most knowledge about her own experience. The aim of this study was to describe mothers’ experiences of breastfeeding their preterm infants from birth up until 12 months after birth

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