A qualitative study of infant feeding decisions among low-income women in the Republic of Ireland.

to explore infant feeding decisions among low-income women living in Ireland to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors, which influence breast feeding initiation and continuation. a descriptive qualitative study using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. community and primary health-care settings in the Republic of Ireland. a convenience sample of 33 low-income mothers was recruited from 2 community programmes and 3 primary health-care centres. six dominant themes were identified using Thematic Analysis. Prior knowledge of infant feeding, especially from experiences of seeing breast- and artificial milk-feeding in the family and the community, influenced feeding choice. Embarrassment and stigma about breast feeding in public places and in some cases in the private sphere were commonly described as barriers to breast feeding. The decision to bottle feed often reflected a balancing of the needs of the mother and the baby, because breast feeding was often perceived as inconvenient and requiring extreme determination. Breast feeding difficulties in the early weeks were frequently described and those who stopped breast feeding early often lacked practical knowledge and experienced support. In terms of health professional support, the mothers favoured a non-pressurised approach along with practical help with breast feeding. there is a need for promotional efforts to normalise breast feeding and for training of health professionals in the provision of appropriate support.

Shortt E ，McGorrian C ，Kelleher C 《-》

Healthcare professionals' and mothers' perceptions of factors that influence decisions to breastfeed or formula feed infants: a comparative study.

This article is a report of a study comparing healthcare professionals' and mothers' perceptions of factors that influence the decision to breastfeed or formula feed an infant. The World Health Organisation recommends that mothers should breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months of age and then continue to do so alongside complementary foods for the first 2 years and beyond. However, levels of breastfeeding in the United Kingdom are below the recommended targets. Low levels of actual or perceived professional support and understanding are associated with formula use. Twenty professionals working closely with mothers of young infants completed a semi-structured interview exploring the reasons they believed mothers chose to use formula milk. Twenty-three mothers with an infant aged 6-12 months also reflected on their experiences of milk feeding. The data were collected during 2007-2008. Professionals described a range of influences on maternal decisions to breastfeed or formula feed including lack of knowledge, support and help with difficulties. These were strongly echoed in the reasons mothers gave for formula use, suggesting clear professional understanding of the challenges relating to breastfeeding. Although keen to give further support, professionals raised issues of lack of time and resources to support mothers. Contrary to maternal beliefs of poor professional understanding, professionals had a clear perception of influences affecting early milk feeding choice. Further resources and recognition are needed for healthcare professionals working with new mothers to enable them to offer increased support, with the aim of increasing breastfeeding duration.

Brown A ，Raynor P ，Lee M 《-》

A 'give it a go' breast-feeding culture and early cessation among low-income mothers.

Bailey C ，Pain RH ，Aarvold JE 《MIDWIFERY》

A qualitative approach to social support and breast-feeding decisions.

Barona-Vilar C ，Escribá-Agüir V ，Ferrero-Gandía R 《-》

Artificial milk-feeding women׳s views of their feeding choice in Ireland.

despite the well-documented benefits of breast feeding to both mother and child, breast-feeding initiation rates in Ireland are the second lowest in Europe. This study set out to explore the views of women from low socio-economic groups in Ireland on their choice to feed their infants artificial milk, and to elicit factors that may encourage these women to breast feed in the future. a qualitative descriptive approach was used. data were collected through recorded focus groups and individual interviews, using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were transcribed verbatim. interviews took place in two regions in the Republic of Ireland, north and south. a purposive sample was drawn from the population of 2572 women taking part in the Irish Infant Feeding Study who had never breast fed previously, had intended to, and had, fed this infant artificial milk and who had completed their education before they were 18 years of age. Two focus groups with two women in each were conducted and six women took part in individual interviews. constant comparative analysis was performed to construct the categories and concepts that led to the final themes. these artificial milk-feeding women based their infant feeding decision on many social and experiential factors. The major influences on their decisions were: personal attitudes toward feeding methods, and external influences on infant feeding methods. Attitudes towards other women and feeding future infants reinforced a strong preference towards artificial milk feeding. it is apparent that a prevailing culture that is unreceptive to breast feeding and the lack of positive breast-feeding role models, contributed to a strong commitment to artificial milk feeding for these participants. Promotion of breast feeding must take account of the complex contexts in which women make decisions. Advice regarding breast feeding should take account of women׳s feelings and avoid undue pressure, while still promoting the benefits of breast feeding to women and their families.

Carroll M ，Gallagher L ，Clarke M ，Millar S ，Begley C ... -  《-》