Breastfeeding. Toward resolution of the unsatisfying birth experience

The act of birth and the way that it is managed have great meaning for many women. What may appear to professionals as a routine or unremarkable delivery may be perceived by the mother as humiliating, mutilating, or dehumanizing. If the mother has an extremely negative perception of her birth experience, she will suffer a loss of self esteem, and it is more likely that she will have difficulty taking on the maternal role. A successful brestfeeding experience builds up a mothers' confidence and self esteem and facilitates acquisition of the maternal role. The problem with relying upon breastfeeding to determine or establish maternal identity is that failure or untimely termination may occur for a variety of reasons. Anticipatory guidance and emotional support are the primary approaches to be used in helping a mother to nurse her baby for as long as she wants.