Abstract
BackgroundEarly breastfeeding cessation is common in many regions of the world despite high breastfeeding initiation rates and strong evidence of the health benefits to both mother and infant. This research investigated mothers’ perceived breastfeeding information needs in order to increase our understanding of this phenomenon.MethodsSurveys were distributed by public health nurses in a health region in Western Canada to mothers who had initiated breastfeeding and whose infants were six to eleven months old to learn more about their infant feeding experiences during the birth to six month period. Two open-ended survey questions asked: (1) What support or advice did you receive that helped you with feeding your baby?” and (2) “What support or information on feeding your baby would you have found helpful but did not receive?” A total of 191 eligible mothers submitted a survey (response rate 35%) between January and October 2012. Qualitative description was used in analyzing the responses of the women who provided comments for the open-ended questions.ResultsWhile many mothers felt their information needs were met, others outlined important content areas where more information and guidance was desired. These areas included milk supply management, frequency/duration of feeds, proper latch and feeding positions, nipple care, expression/pumping, other nutrition sources, and realistic information regarding common breastfeeding concerns.ConclusionsThe results suggest that several of the information gaps highlighted by respondents in this study closely align with commonly cited reasons for breastfeeding cessation including perceived insufficient milk supply, latching difficulties and nipple discomfort. The findings emphasize the need for lactation support with systematic measures to ensure breastfeeding mothers are universally provided with information on these key content areas. Lactation supports should reinforce critical information and seek feedback to ascertain that mothers have clearly understood the information provided. Ensuring mothers receive and understand key breastfeeding information is a modifiable factor in efforts to increase breastfeeding duration rates.
Highlights
Breastfeeding cessation is common in many regions of the world despite high breastfeeding initiation rates and strong evidence of the health benefits to both mother and infant
In an effort to gather experiential wisdom, this study explored the perceptions of mothers who had initiated breastfeeding by asking them to identify both the helpful advice they had received and the information they did not receive but would have found helpful
Information must include an understanding of the basics of milk production and milk supply management, practical guidance that facilitates development of breastfeeding skills related to latch and positioning, realistic expectations regarding the benefits and challenges of breastfeeding, instruction on hand expression and introduction of other nutritional sources, and individualized instruction on pumping techniques as required
Summary
Breastfeeding cessation is common in many regions of the world despite high breastfeeding initiation rates and strong evidence of the health benefits to both mother and infant. A review of research using quantitative economic modelling in the United Kingdom estimated significant potential savings with achievable increases in breastfeeding including over 17 million GBP saved annually from costs to treat four acute infant diseases and over 31 million GBP incremental savings from maternal health conditions over the lifetime of each annual cohort of first time mothers [8]. Considerable research has been conducted in an attempt to uncover the reasons why so many mothers initiate breastfeeding but add supplementary feedings or discontinue breastfeeding prior to six months [9,10,11,12,13]. The most commonly cited reasons for early cessation include a perception of insufficient milk supply, maternal discomfort ( sore nipples), difficulty with breastfeeding techniques, maternal psychosocial factors, and return to work/school [9,14,15,16]
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