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Mothers’ experience of not breastfeeding in a breastfeeding culture

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  • Ingjerd Hvatum
  • Kari Glavin

Abstract

Aims and objectives To describe women's experience of not breastfeeding in a breastfeeding culture. Background Breastfeeding represents a fundamental cultural value in Norway and many other countries, and a mother may often have intense emotions about breastfeeding her child. Political and health authorities in many countries have given high priority to encourage breastfeeding among mothers. However, breastfeeding can be challenging and sometimes affects mothers’ mental health and the joy of interaction. Design Qualitative design. Methods Individual semistructured interviews with 12 mothers. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the interviews. Results Three main categories emerged from the data: (1) desire to adapt to Norwegian culture, (2) feeling as though one was breaking the law and (3) lack of and unbalanced information. The mothers in this study wanted to breastfeed, both to do the best for their child and to fulfil cultural expectations. They knew about the advantages of breastfeeding. When breastfeeding was stopped, they needed social support because they felt it was difficult to do the opposite of what was most common in the culture. Conclusion Healthcare workers should consider the mother's individual situation when providing breastfeeding guidance. Information about the advantages should be adequately balanced and nuanced to prevent shame and guilt. Healthcare workers should have sufficient knowledge about how to ensure that infant formula is used correctly. Relevance to clinical practice Healthcare workers should pay attention to the mother if she has limited social support, and they should organise peer support. Healthcare workers must ensure that mothers get balanced information about the benefits of breastfeeding and about the differences between breastmilk and infant formula. To ensure that infant formula is used correctly and to reduce stigma, healthcare workers should have sufficient knowledge about formula feeding and health authorities could provide information about how to prepare infant formula.

Suggested Citation

  • Ingjerd Hvatum & Kari Glavin, 2017. "Mothers’ experience of not breastfeeding in a breastfeeding culture," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(19-20), pages 3144-3155, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:26:y:2017:i:19-20:p:3144-3155
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.13663
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    1. Helen Mulcahy & Agnes Phelan & Paul Corcoran & Patricia Leahy‐Warren, 2012. "Examining the breastfeeding support resources of the public health nursing services in Ireland," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(7‐8), pages 1097-1108, April.
    2. Colen, Cynthia G. & Ramey, David M., 2014. "Is breast truly best? Estimating the effects of breastfeeding on long-term child health and wellbeing in the United States using sibling comparisons," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 55-65.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rosalia Ragusa & Marina Marranzano & Valentina Lucia La Rosa & Gabriele Giorgianni & Elena Commodari & Rosalba Quattrocchi & Salvatore Cacciola & Vincenzo Guardabasso, 2021. "Factors Influencing Uptake of Breastfeeding: The Role of Early Promotion in the Maternity Hospital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Bettina Holmberg Fagerlund & Sølvi Helseth & Kari Glavin, 2019. "Parental experience of counselling about food and feeding practices at the child health centre: A qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(9-10), pages 1653-1663, May.

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