Supporting breastfeeding mothers: qualitative synthesis
Rhona J McInnes1, Julie A Chambers
1NMAHP Research Unit, University of Stirling, UK. rjm2@stir.ac.uk
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|May 15, 2008
Summary
Mothers value social support more than healthcare support for breastfeeding. Healthcare systems need improvement to better support mothers and staff, addressing issues like time pressures and conflicting advice.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Qualitative Research Synthesis
- Healthcare Services Research
Background:
- Breastfeeding rates remain stagnant despite increased knowledge.
- Mothers report dissatisfaction with breastfeeding experiences.
- Qualitative research offers deeper understanding of breastfeeding support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize mothers' and healthcare professionals' experiences of breastfeeding support.
- To identify key themes in breastfeeding support from qualitative studies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of electronic databases and citation lists (1990-2007).
- Inclusion of English-language, qualitative studies from westernized countries.
- Secondary thematic analysis of extracted themes.
Main Results:
- Five themes in health service support: mother-professional relationship, skilled help, time pressures, medicalization, and ward environment.
- Two themes in social support: compatible and incompatible.
- Updated search identified an additional theme: health professional relationships.
Conclusions:
- Mothers prioritize social support over health service support.
- Health service support is often perceived negatively due to time constraints, lack of availability, poor guidance, and conflicting advice.
- Improvements in health services are necessary to meet the needs of mothers and healthcare professionals.
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