Successful Breastfeeding Experience Research Articles

Perceptions About Lactation Consultant Support, Breastfeeding Experiences and Postpartum Psychosocial Outcomes.

Many women seek lactation consultant support in the postpartum period. Lactation consultant support in community or clinical settings is often assumed to extend breastfeeding duration, improve breastfeeding experiences, and be well-received. Few studies have assessed women's perceptions of the support they received, nor have perceptions been examined in relationship to breastfeeding outcomes and maternal well-being. Our objective was to characterize the lactation consultant support women received and examine how women's perceptions about the support related to their breastfeeding outcomes, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and parenting stress. This observational, cross-sectional study examined receipt of postpartum lactation consultant support among 210 US women. Perceptions of lactation consultant support were examined in relation to breastfeeding outcomes, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and parenting stress to explore outcomes of negative versus positive lactation consultant support experiences, using linear and proportional hazards regression. While overall perceptions of lactation consultant support were positive for most recipients (71%, n = 98), 29% (n = 40) reported negative perceptions of lactation consultant support. Negative perceptions were associated with lower breastfeeding self-efficacy (β = - 11.7, 95% CI - 17.3, - 6.0), a less successful breastfeeding experience (β = - 19.5, CI - 27.8, - 11.3), greater general anxiety (β = 6.5, CI 2.1, 10.9), and shorter total duration of milk production (HR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.18, 0.84). Perceptions were not associated with depressive symptoms or parenting stress. Findings highlight the importance of ensuring that postpartum breastfeeding support provided by lactation consultants is perceived as positive by women.

The effect of peer counseling on breastfeeding behavior of primiparous mothers: A randomized controlled field trial.

To assess the impact of peer counseling on breastfeeding behavior of primiparous mothers. A randomized controlled field trial was conducted with 80 mother-child pairs, who referred to health centers in 2018. The samples were recruited via convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. World Health Organization B-R-E-A-S-T-Feed Observation form was used at baseline, immediately, 1, 2, and 3months after the intervention. The experimental group received support during the first 3months after childbirth from 10 peers with successful breastfeeding experiences and similar characteristics to those of the participants, while the controls benefited from the routine education provided by their health centers. Baseline breastfeeding behavior mean scores were not different in the two groups (p>.05). Mean score changes after the intervention were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at different time points, including immediately after the intervention (p<.001), 1month (p<.001), 2months (p<.001), and 3months after the intervention (p<.001). Use of peer counseling program to correct the breastfeeding behaviors of primiparous mothers can improve their performance of breastfeeding techniques.

Validation of a Breastfeeding History Questionnaire for the Risk of In-Hospital Formula Supplementation Among Multiparous Women.

A woman's prior breastfeeding history may influence future decisions regarding infant feeding. Few quantitative tools utilizing this information have been demonstrated to predict breastfeeding success. To evaluate the efficacy of a prenatal breastfeeding history (BAP) questionnaire administered in prenatal care to predict in-hospital formula supplementation among multiparous women. This is a prospective observational study of multiparous women with singleton pregnancies who presented to a Baby-Friendly urban tertiary care center for 1st prenatal visit at < 20 weeks' gestation. The BAP tool generates a numerical score, with higher score (≥ 2) indicating prior successful breastfeeding experiences. The primary outcome was occurrence of non-medically indicated formula supplementation during the postpartum hospital stay. Student's t test and Pearson's chi-square test were used to compare continuous and categorical variables. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship of BAP score to formula supplementation. Of 587 women screened, 433 (73.8%) mother-infant dyads were analyzed. Rates of formula supplementation in women with BAP scores ≤ 1 were 67% (156/234) compared with 37% (73/199) in women with higher scores (p < 0.0001). After controlling for race/ethnicity, insurance, and obesity, women with BAP scores of ≤ 1 were 2.6 times more likely to supplement formula than women with higher scores (aOR 2.62, 95% CI [1.70, 4.04], p < .0001). In this prospective validation study, women with negative prior breastfeeding experiences, as evidenced by a lower BAP score, were more likely to supplement formula during the postpartum hospital stay.

Experiences of online breastfeeding support: Support and reassurance versus judgement and misinformation.

Breastfeeding support is integral to many women's successful breastfeeding experiences. However, cuts to professional and peer support services, distance from family, and a predominant formula-feeding culture mean that many women in the United Kingdom do not receive the support they need. Turning to online support is an increasingly popular means of gaining both informational and emotional support, but research into online breastfeeding support groups is sparse in the United Kingdom. Data from Australia and the United States tend to focus on the positives: Women value such groups, finding information, reassurance, and a feeling of belonging. This study explored 14 women's experiences of using online support for breastfeeding in the United Kingdom, using semistructured interviews to understand their motivations and positive and negative experiences. Mothers were drawn to online support due to a lack of professional, familial, and partner support. Online support was reassuring, empathetic, and available around the clock and less daunting than attending a face-to-face group. Many attributed their continued breastfeeding to the support they received. However, women also experienced negativities: judgement for using formula, polarised debate, and a lack of regulation, meaning that unhelpful information was sometimes posted. The findings have important implications for those working to support mothers. These groups provide a safe space for breastfeeding mothers, but moderation is needed of such groups to ensure information is accurate and debate respectful. Online support groups are currently plugging a gap in funded support; they should be in addition not in replacement to professional and trained peer support services.

A qualitative study on successful breastfeeding experience of primiparous women with natural childbirth during the first 6 months postpartum

Objective To explore the successful breastfeeding experience of primiparous women with natural childbirth during the first 6 months postpartum. Methods A phenomenological methodology was used. Semi-structured in depth interviews were conducted among 11 primiparous women of natural childbirth. The data were transcribed, collated, summarized and analyzed using Colaizzi′s method. Results The primiparous women who sustained exclusive breastfeeding for six months after natural delivery experienced three stages which were: anxiety of breastfeeding, gradual adaption of breastfeeding, and coexistence of puzzles and insistence. The first stage was anxiety of breastfeeding including three themes: lack of experience in breastfeeding, conflict of breastfeeding, and noticeable fatigue during feeding. The second stage was gradual adaption of breastfeeding including four themes: family and social support, presenting regular feeding schedules, identification of mother role, and establishing a good mother-child relationship. The last stage was coexistence of puzzles and insistence which containing three themes: coexistence of confusion and perseverance, fear of returning back to work, suffering of maternal separation, and commitment of breastfeed. Conclusions In order to release the anxiety and improve the confidence of breastfeeding of primiparous women, it is vital to rely on the conjoint efforts of the family members, healthcare institutions, communities, enterprises, society and other aspects to improve the rate and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Key words: Natural childbirth; Primiparous women; Breastfeeding; Qualitative research

Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy of Mothers Within 6 Weeks of Delivery

Introduction: Promoting and maintaining breastfeeding is an important part of the healthcare, nutrition and other social measures required to promote proper growth and development of infants, and a major component of primary healthcare. Several factors affect onset and duration of breastfeeding. Self-efficacy is one of those factors that can be modified, but has been less studied. Objective : The present study aimed to determine some risk factors associated with breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers within 6 weeks of delivery. Materials and Methods : This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study recruited 767 mothers presenting to Family Health and Research Center in Rasht in 2013, using consecutive sampling (for 6 months).Data was collected using demographic questionnaires and Dennis Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSEF).Data was collected in two phases: on the 3 rd -5 th days and the 6 th week after delivery. The minimum and maximum breastfeeding self-efficacy scores in BSEF are 14 and 70, respectively. If a subject's score is above average, she has high breastfeeding self-efficacy and vice versa. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regressions) were used to analyze the data. The confidence interval of 95% and a significance level of P<0.05 were considered. Results: The results showed that the mean and standard deviation of breastfeeding self-efficacy score were 57.64±9.94 and 62.66±7.57, respectively on the 3 rd -5 th days and the 6 th week after delivery. The group that exclusively breastfed their newborns had higher than average breastfeeding self-efficacy scores compared to other mothers. The multivariate regression model showed that the variables of educational level (secondary school P=0.002, B=2.25; and high school diploma, P=0.03, B=1.51), pain (P=0.01, B=1.6), breastfeeding discontinuation because of pain (P=0.02, B=2.67), having a successful breastfeeding experience (P=0.01, B=1.93), and exclusive breastfeeding (P=0.01, B=6.28) had statistically significant relationships with breastfeeding self-efficacy. Conclusion: According to the results, breastfeeding self-efficacy influenced the status and type of breastfeeding, hence, necessary interventions should be made to remove the barriers to and resolve the problems of mothers for exclusive breastfeeding.

A Workable Regime for Managing Maternal Inability to Produce Adequate Volumes of Breast Milk

This case study presents a primipara whose milk supply did not meet the needs of her baby. After a failed attempt to increase her milk through additional breastfeeding and electric breast pumping, a plan was formulated to combine breastfeeding and supplementing. This plan allowed this mother-baby couple to have a successful breastfeeding experience.

Practices and Attitudes Toward Breast-Feeding Among Medical Professionals

The results of a mail survey conducted among pediatricians, obstetricians, family practitioners, and nurses, and results of an adjunct survey conducted among hospital administrators are presented. According to the findings, breast-feeding is advocated by physicians; however, the topic is not always initiated, so the mother is influenced by other sources. Supplementary foods and vitamins are advocated to varying degrees and not necessarily in keeping with present knowledge about nutrition. Physicians are willing to counsel mothers regarding problems with breast-feeding and feel that further physician encouragement is necessary for more breast-feeding or longer breast-feeding. Mothers should have an opportunity during pregnancy, while they are in the hospital, and postnatally to learn as much as they can about feeding methods. The obstetrician can initiate earlier discussion with the mother on feeding methods and can assume a more aggressive role in initiating this discussion. In the hospital, a mother who chooses to breast-feed can be assisted in having a successful breast-feeding experience by spending as much time as possible with her infant starting with the period immediately following birth. Postnatally, physicians can encourage successful breast-feeding and breast-feeding of longer duration by not encouraging the early initiation of supplements and solid foods. The increasing trend in breast-feeding can best be facilitated by these positive actions taken by physicians, nurses, and health care facilities.

Basics of Breastfeeding

Understanding the importance of breast milk in optimal nutrition and protection for the newborn and developing infant is basic to nursing support of the breastfeeding mother. Add to this motivational information a thorough understanding of the practical aspects of preparing for and maintaining breastfeeding, and the nurse is well-equipped to help the mother reach for the most positive and successful breastfeeding experience possible for herself and her infant. Continuing the series begun in the July-August issue, “The Biological Specificity of Breast Milk” and “Preparation for Breastfeeding and Early Optimal Functioning” are presented below. The series will conclude in the next issue with “Self-care for Continued Breastfeeding” and “Some Breastfeeding Problem and Solutions.” The nutritional values of human breast milk, including the colostrum, are listed and explained. Also discussed are the advantages to the infant regarding renal solute load, hemoglobin levels, and potential infections and allergies.