Why have a bottle when you can have draught? Exploring bottle refusal by breastfed babies

Area of Science:

• Infant and Child Health
• Lactation and Breastfeeding Studies
• Parenting and Family Studies

Background:

• Bottle refusal in breastfed infants is a common yet under-researched issue globally.
• This refusal can negatively impact mothers and infant feeding practices.
• Limited literature exists on mothers' perspectives regarding this phenomenon.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore mothers' views on the reasons behind bottle refusal in their breastfed babies.
• To identify the underlying factors contributing to this feeding behavior.
• To inform support strategies for mothers experiencing this challenge.

Main Methods:

• A parallel, two-stage exploratory qualitative design was utilized.
• Data collection involved 30 semi-structured interviews and analysis of 597 online forum posts.
• Thematic analysis and a biopsychosocial model were applied to the collected data.

Main Results:

• Four overarching themes emerged: 'Breastfeeding is the answer to everything', 'Bottle feeding: an alien concept', 'Babies are individuals', and 'Find the right bottle and don't delay'.
• Mothers cited psychological benefits of breastfeeding, biological expectations of breast feeding, infant individuality (personality/temperament), and issues with bottle type/timing as reasons for refusal.
• Findings indicate a complex interplay of physical, psychological, biological, and socio-cultural factors.

Conclusions:

• Bottle refusal in breastfed infants is multifactorial, extending beyond simple physical issues.
• Mothers' perceptions are shaped by the perceived benefits of breastfeeding and socio-cultural norms.
• Recognizing these diverse factors is crucial for effective support and decision-making for mothers.