Exclusive Breastfeeding Experience Research Articles

Experience of working women in Kisangani (DRC) on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding

Introduction: The aim of the study was to demonstrate working mothers' experience of exclusive breastfeeding, to identify what these working mothers expect from exclusive breastfeeding, to assess the satisfaction they derive from exclusive breastfeeding, to determine their representation of exclusive breastfeeding and to analyze their attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding. Methodology: We used a qualitative and phenomenological approach, based on free direct interviews. It involved 5 working women found in pre-school consultations at the Saint Joseph Reference Health Centre from August 1st to September 12, 2023. Results: Respondents were aware of exclusive breastfeeding from a variety of sources. Almost all the respondents had practiced exclusive breastfeeding in spite of their daily occupations. They expected their children to be healthy and protected from illness. They had experienced satisfaction in practicing exclusive breastfeeding in spite of their daily occupations, but they were not so satisfied with the fact that in their workplaces there was no suitable space for practicing exclusive breastfeeding. The respondents were relatively convinced that breast milk provided good health for their children and was an ideal and natural means of contraception. Conclusion: The combination of work and exclusive breastfeeding is a serious problem for working women. Daily occupation could be a handicap for promoting exclusive breastfeeding.

Exclusive breastfeeding in a context of intimate partner violence in Brazil

The study aim was to identify the experience of exclusive breastfeeding and its relationship with the situation of intimate partner violence from a qualitative approach. The study was carried out in a maternity hospital located in Brazil. The participants were 21 puerperal women, who were in a situation of intimate partner violence in the puerperium and who had at least 180 days postpartum. The quantitative data (the women's sociodemographic, economic, family, and obstetric status) were used for describing the participants. Whereas, the qualitative data were collected through an open interview and recorded in a single moment, they reflected on the experience of breastfeeding in situations of violence by their intimate partners. The qualitative data was treated using the Method of Sense Interpretation; and Male Domination and Symbolic Power, by Pierre Bourdieu, were the theoretical frameworks chosen to discuss the concept of gender in social relationships. Most of the participants were young, black/brown-skinned, had a mean of 10 years of study, all suffered some type of violence by their partners during postpartum, and only one woman followed exclusive breastfeeding until six months. The central category, entitled: “Intimate partner violence and its repercussions on the experience of exclusive breastfeeding”, identified that intimate partner violence impacted in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding, interruption of latching, in addition to affecting the relationship between mother and child. The originality of the theme must be discussed in the academic, practical, governmental, and research spheres in order to strengthen the notification and confrontation of violence and to advocate for exclusive breastfeeding even in adverse contexts.

Psychology of Breastfeeding: From Self Narration to Digital Technology

Background: Breastfeeding has been a very precious source for the development of infants and children. Generally, most of the studies about breastfeeding come from a medical knowledge point of view. However, the process of sustaining exclusive breastfeeding is not an easy task for a mother. As breastfeeding involves a mother's decision-making process, the study explores how mothers live in a megapolitan area, preserving exclusive breastfeeding until baby 6 months old and partially continued up to 2 years old. Psychology emphasizes individual (psychological) and macro factors which have a significant role in enabling exclusive breastfeeding. Methodology: The study methodology was qualitative with case study type. Methods of data collection were an in-depth interview and on-the-spot interview observation. We have interviewed 4 participants. All of them are urban mothers (women live in megapolitan areas of Jakarta Greater Area or JABODETABEK). Age ranges from 20 to 40 years old, with at least an experience of exclusive breastfeeding and the child’s age currently not more than 12 years old. 2 out of 4 participants are working mothers, who have to strive every day between domestic and work domain.Result: All 4 research subjects are typically kind of “pejuang ASI” (breastfeeding warrior), a term used for representing a maternal woman who fights hard to breastfeed, as the best nutrition for a baby. It was shown that psychological processes of preserving exclusive breastfeeding of an urban mother significantly reflect the role of self-narration around the perception of breastfeeding as part of “natural mother” schema and how digital technology helps a mother to get more support and solve breastfeeding and baby’s problems.Conclusion: First Mother’s schema about breastfeeding and attachment to the baby are important to motivate her to maintain exclusive breastfeeding. we need to know how her schema about breastfeeding and her attachment to the baby. Second, it is important to identify her skills and knowledge on using digital technology diligently, for a more productive and comfortable process of delivering the best nutrition for the baby.

Examining working mothers\u2019 experience of exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana

BackgroundAlthough substantial evidence exists on factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding, there is a general lack of qualitative studies that examine how specific workplace factors constrain or promote exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers. The current study therefore examines working mothers’ experience of exclusive breastfeeding, laying emphasis on the influence of workplace factors on working mothers’ decision to exclusively breastfeed their babies.MethodsThe study uses a qualitative research approach and a three-stage purposive sampling procedure to select 20 mothers from 10 organizations in five industries for in-depth interviews on their exclusive breastfeeding experience. Data collected from the interviews were analysed using content analysis, with two major themes emerging for discussion.ResultsThe results suggest that two major factors influence exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers: practice of exclusive breast feeding (knowledge and understanding of exclusive breastfeeding, and experience in exclusive breastfeeding) and workplace factors (length of maternity leave, closing time, absence of maternity policy in organizations, inadequate institutional support and family work-life balance).ConclusionThe results of the study suggest that workplace factors play an equally crucial role in the decision by mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies. Thus, in the special case of working mothers where breastfeeding prevalence is low, the findings of this study can be crucial in evolving appropriate policies to support working mothers in their effort to exclusively breastfeed their babies.

The private journey: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of exclusive breastfeeding

BackgroundExclusive breast milk provides complete nutrition for a baby’s first six months of life. In Australia, breastfeeding initiation rates are high, however duration rates are low. Although numerous studies have explored the reasons behind low levels of breastfeeding, few have examined the experiences of women who maintain exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended six-month duration. AimThis paper will present an in-depth, idiographic interpretation of first-time mothers’ experience of exclusive breastfeeding for six months in Australia. MethodInterpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore how five new mothers understood their six-month exclusive breastfeeding journey. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted retrospectively, transcribed in full, and analysed using the flexible seven-step approach of interpretative phenomenological analysis. FindingsThree higher-order themes were identified: (1) exclusive breastfeeding is a personal choice, (2) exclusive breastfeeding is harder than expected, and (3) everyone has something to say about breastfeeding. ConclusionThe mothers were not prepared for public debates around infant feeding methods, where mothers judge each other and give advice that supports their own goals, both of which create an unnecessary divide between mothers. Despite these issues, the findings highlight the personal and social meanings aligned with exclusive breastfeeding and point to the significance in fostering determination as a means to achieve exclusive breastfeeding goals. This qualitative reflection contributes a nuanced understanding of mothers’ lived experience of exclusive breastfeeding, deepening our understanding and enabling appropriate strategies and support for the longevity of exclusive breastfeeding, as well as direction for continued research.

English

Mother-to-child transmission is the largest source of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in children. About one third of children are believed to be infected vertically through breast-feeding. Infant feeding in the context of HIV is complex. HIV positive women are confused about feeding methods and mixed feeding continued to be widespread. However, there are few studies on the practice of HIV positive mothers and counseling message of health workers in Ethiopia (Maru and Haidar, 2009). Objective: The objective of this study was to assess magnitude and factors associated with infant and young child feeding practice of HIV positive mothers in selected hospitals of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples of Region, 2011. An institution based cross sectional study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 201 HIV positive mothers with children less than two years of age were purposively selected at morning time in order of arrival. Health workers working on anti -retroviral therapy and prevention of mother to child transmission clinics were taken for in-depth interview in Hawassa, Yirgalem and Dilla Hospitals. Of all respondent, 87 (47.5%) HIV positive mothers had children with the age of less than 6 months, among 87 (47.5%) HIV positive mothers, 56.3% had experience of exclusive breast feeding, 13 (35.6%) of the mothers mix fed their babies while 8.1% exclusive replacement feeding. Regarding issues discussed during counseling time by health workers, from total of 183 HIV positive mothers, 78.7% mothers received counseling on different feeding options. Most, 96.2 and 76.0% of mothers received counseling on advantages and disadvantages of breast feeding respectively, and 67.8 and 71% disadvantages of replacement and mixed feeding respectively. Mother‘s who had antenatal follow up and favorable attitude towards feeding options were more likely to practice exclusive breast feeding and less likely to practice mixed feeding. More than half of the mothers practiced exclusive breast feeding and very small proportion of HIV positive mothers chose replacement feeding, but still greater than one third of HIV positive mothers practiced mixed feeding. In general, infant and young child feeding practices observed in this study fall short of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, so it is recommended that all HIV positive mothers should be provided with adequate information to enable them to select the best feeding option for their babies, and to successfully carry out their infant feeding decisions. Key words: Infant and young child, feeding practice, HIV.

Leite produzido e saciedade da criança na percepção da nutriz durante o aleitamento materno exclusivo

Os objetivos foram analisar a percepção materna sobre o leite produzido e sua relação com a duração e condução da amamentação exclusiva. Estudo transversal, descritivo-analítico, desenvolvido com 231 nutrizes, acompanhando seus filhos menores de 4 meses em uma Unidade de Saúde em Ribeirão Preto. Os dados foram analisados utilizando comparação entre médias, teste exato de Fisher e regressão logística, sendo que 71% das participantes referiram produzir leite bom, percebendo a criança satisfeita após mamar. A percepção do leite foi estatisticamente significativa quando associada à saciedade da criança. Nutrizes que percebem a criança insatisfeita tem 32 vezes chance de percepção ruim do leite. Houve diferença significativa entre intervalos de mamadas feitos pelas mulheres que tinham boa percepção do leite e aquelas que não tinham. A satisfação da criança foi o indicador mais utilizado para avaliar o leite. Evidencia-se a necessidade de incentivo na capacidade das mulheres para boa produção láctea.