Early interruption of breastfeeding. A qualitative study

The aim of this study was to discover the personal experience and feelings of primiparous women who had to abandon breastfeeding (BF) before the expected time, as well as the causes of abandonment and the role of health professionals.

A qualitative study through semi-structured interview was carried out. A purposive sampling by key informants was conducted, until saturation of the information was reached. Qualitative content analysis was carried out to generate codes and assign categories.

We interviewed 15 women aged 33.1 (SD 5.4) years. Ambivalent feelings were found, while BF was considered a satisfying experience, it was also sacrificial and painful. They refer to a lack of knowledge, and insecurity about nourishing their infant and physical pain seem to be the most important reasons for giving up. There is also a duality of feelings between the peace of mind afforded by artificial feeding, knowing that their child is well nourished, and the feeling of guilt for not having maintained BF. They believe that professionals do not adequately perform their work to promote BF, referring to numerous occasions when health professionals themselves have performed practices contrary to its establishment and maintenance.

In the mothers' account, emotional training and emotional support needs are insufficiently covered. Nursing professionals involved in the care of these women should systematically explore these needs.