Mothers' experiences and perceptions of breastfeeding and community nurse support

A qualitative study

Authors

  • Valentina Berlec Community Health Center dr. Julija Polca Kamnik, Novi trg 26, 1241 Kamnik, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6107-2742
  • Jožica Ramšak Pajk Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care, Spodnji Plavž 3, 4270 Jesenice, Slovenia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14528/snr.2023.57.4.3224

Keywords:

expectations, stress, empowerment, psychological support

Abstract

Introduction: The first experience with breastfeeding is for a mother to get in touch with her body and feelings and to learn from her own experience. During this process a mother needs to receive the support and advice related to health education from health professionals. The purpose of the study was to investigate mothers' perception and experience as they establish and maintain breastfeeding and at the same time to find out how mothers experience support from nurses delivering community health care.
Methods: A descriptive method with a qualitative research approach was used. A dedicated sample of 8 mothers who were breastfeeding and whose children were at least 4 months but no more than 2 years old, with various breastfeeding courses, were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. The interviewees were 30 years  old on average. Content analysis was conducted for the  purposes of data analysis.
Results: Three categories were identified: (1) the experience of mothers; (2) breastfeeding support and (3) the involvement of the community health care nurse. We found that mothers' ideas about breastfeeding are often idealized and that they need professional information and support in order to establish and maintain breastfeeding.
Discussion and conclusion: Mothers' experiences with breastfeeding are very diverse and individual, and above all, very emotional and psychologically stressful when breastfeeding does not go the way they would like it to. Professional help from a community health nurse in supporting breastfeeding is very important. It is crucial that the nurse takes enough time to guide and teach the mother how to become independent in breastfeeding.

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Published

2023-12-18

How to Cite

Berlec, V., & Ramšak Pajk, J. (2023). Mothers’ experiences and perceptions of breastfeeding and community nurse support: A qualitative study. Slovenian Nursing Review, 57(4), 266–275. https://doi.org/10.14528/snr.2023.57.4.3224

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Section

Original scientific article