Exploring Women's Experiences of Breastfeeding Their Infants With Cow's Milk Protein Allergy

To explore the experiences of women who breastfed infants with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA).

Qualitative interpretive descriptive study informed by a feminist theoretical framework.

A Canadian tertiary pediatric hospital that provided inpatient and outpatient services for infants with suspected or confirmed CMPA.

Ten women who breastfed infants diagnosed with CMPA.

We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore women's experiences of breastfeeding their infants with CMPA. We used reflexive thematic analysis to analyze interview data, and we emphasized reflexivity, transparency, and co-construction of meaning between researcher and participants.

We identified five interconnected themes. Carrying the Weight Alone represented disproportionate maternal responsibility for navigating clinical uncertainty, decision-making, and system gaps. The Breaking Point reflected cumulative emotional strain and vulnerability. Navigating Emotional Extremes represented fluctuating feelings of pride, guilt, hope, despair, confidence, and doubt. Emerging From the Fog represented how clearer information, validation, and practical problem solving fostered resilience and agency. Finally, Reflective Wisdom represented retrospective meaning-making and a desire to support others with similar experiences. Across themes, participants reported fragmented medical guidance, identity disruption, and the emotional complexity of breastfeeding while managing their infants' CMPA.

Breastfeeding an infant with CMPA involved uncertainty, emotional burden, and inadequate clinical support. Although breastfeeding fostered resilience and meaning for participants, unmet expectations and inconsistent information intensified their stress. Integrating maternal perspectives into management strategies for CMPA and developing multidisciplinary, compassionate support systems may sustain breastfeeding, enhance maternal well-being, and improve family outcomes.