Mothers of preterm infants' experiences of breastfeeding support in the first 12 months after birth: A qualitative study

• AbstractBackground:  Breastfeeding  support  is  important  for  breastfeeding  mothers;  how-ever, it is less clear how mothers of preterm infants (< 37 gestational weeks) experi-ence breastfeeding support during the first year. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe how mothers of preterm infants in Sweden experience breastfeeding support during the first 12 months after birth.Methods:  This  qualitative  study  used  data  from  151  mothers  from  questionnaires  with open- ended questions and telephone interviews. The data were analyzed using an inductive thematic network analysis with a hermeneutical approach.Results: The results exposed two organizing themes and one global theme. In the organizing  theme  “genuine  support  strengthens,”  the  mothers  described  how  they  were  strengthened  by  being  listened  to  and  met  with  respect,  understanding,  and  knowledge.  The  support  was  individually  adapted  and  included  both  practical  and  emotional  support.  In  the  organizing  theme  “inadequate  support  diminishes,”  the  mothers described how health professionals who were controlling and intrusive di-minished them and how the support they needed was not provided or was inappropri-ate.  Thus,  the  global  theme  “being  thrown  into  a  lottery—dependent  on  the  health  professional  who  provided  breastfeeding  support”  emerged,  meaning  that  the  sup-port received was random in terms of knowledge and support style, depending on the individual health professionals who were available.Conclusion: Breastfeeding support to mothers of preterm infants was highly varia-ble, either constructive or destructive depending on who provided support. This find-ing clearly shows major challenges for health care, which should make breastfeeding support more person- centered, equal, and supportive in accordance with individual needs.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Breastfeeding support

experience

neonatal care

postpartum care mothers

preterm infants

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