Using liminality to understand mothers' experiences of long-term breastfeeding: 'Betwixt and between', and 'matter out of place'.

Sally Dowling,David Pontin

doi:10.1177/1363459315595846

Sally Dowling, David Pontin

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/1363459315595846

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Journal: Health:	Publication Date: Jul 26, 2016
Citations: 32	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of the West, University of South Wales

Abstract

Breastmilk is widely considered as the optimum nutrition source for babies and an important factor in both improving public health and reducing health inequalities. Current international/national policy supports long-term breastfeeding. UK breastfeeding initiation rates are high but rapidly decline, and the numbers breastfeeding in the second year and beyond are unknown. This study used the concept of liminality to explore the experiences of a group of women breastfeeding long-term in the United Kingdom, building on Mahon-Daly and Andrews. Over 80 breastfeeding women were included within the study, which used micro-ethnographic methods (participant observation in breastfeeding support groups, face-to-face interviews and online asynchronous interviews via email). Findings about women's experiences are congruent with the existing literature, although it is mostly dated and from outside the United Kingdom. Liminality was found to be useful in providing insight into women's experiences of long-term breastfeeding in relation to both time and place. Understanding women's experience of breastfeeding beyond current usual norms can be used to inform work with breastfeeding mothers and to encourage more women to breastfeed for longer.

Highlights

Introduction and backgroundBreastmilk is widely considered as the optimum nutrition source for babies; good quality evidence has shown that it is an important factor in both improving public health and reducing health inequalities in both developed and developing countries (Horta and Victora, 2013; Renfrew et al, 2012; Ip et al, 2007)
Breastmilk is widely considered as the optimum nutrition source for babies; good quality evidence has shown that it is an important factor in both improving public health and reducing health inequalities in both developed and developing countries (Horta and Victora, 2013; Renfrew et al, 2012; Ip et al, 2007)
This study examines the experiences of a group of women breastfeeding long-term in the UK, drawing on Mahon-Daly and Andrews’ work on liminality and breastfeeding (2002)

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and backgroundBreastmilk is widely considered as the optimum nutrition source for babies; good quality evidence has shown that it is an important factor in both improving public health and reducing health inequalities in both developed and developing countries (Horta and Victora, 2013; Renfrew et al, 2012; Ip et al, 2007). Breastfeeding promotion is a UK policy priority (Oakley et al, 2013; Public Health England, 2014). Some have argued that encouraging more women to initiate and sustain breastfeeding brings potential economic benefits to society by reducing healthcare costs through improvements in the health of women and children (Renfrew et al, 2012; Pokhrel et al, 2014). WHO suggests that breastfeeding should continue after 6 months alongside weaning foods ‘up to two years of age or beyond’ (WHO, 2003:7-8). This second recommendation is not explicitly supported by the UK government unlike other countries, e.g. USA and Australia, which are more prescriptive (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2013; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012)

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