A qualitative study on successful breastfeeding experience of primiparous women with natural childbirth during the first 6 months postpartum / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the successful breastfeeding experience of primiparous women with natural childbirth during the first 6 months postpartum. Methods A phenomenological methodology was used. Semi-structured in depth interviews were conducted among 11 primiparous women of natural childbirth. The data were transcribed, collated, summarized and analyzed using Colaizzi′s method. Results The primiparous women who sustained exclusive breastfeeding for six months after natural delivery experienced three stages which wereanxiety of breastfeeding,gradual adaption of breastfeeding, and coexistence of puzzles and insistence. The first stage was anxiety of breastfeeding including three themes lack of experience in breastfeeding, conflict of breastfeeding, and noticeable fatigue during feeding.The second stage was gradual adaption of breastfeeding including four themesfamily and social support, presenting regular feeding schedules, identification of mother role, and establishing a good mother-child relationship.The last stage was coexistence of puzzles and insistence which containing three themes coexistence of confusion and perseverance, fear of returning back to work, suffering of maternal separation,and commitment of breastfeed. Conclusions In order to release the anxiety and improve the confidence of breastfeeding of primiparous women, it is vital to rely on the conjoint efforts of the family members,healthcare institutions,communities,enterprises,society and other aspects to improve the rate and duration of exclusive breastfeeding.