Vulnerable mothers' experiences breastfeeding with an enhanced community lactation support program

Bibliographic Data

ID15536798
AuthorsJane Francis (0000-0001-6676-6533, University of Toronto), Alison Mildon (0000-0002-5550-0040, University of Toronto), Stacia Stewart (Regent Park Community Health Centre), Bronwyn Underhill (Regent Park Community Health Centre), Valerie Tarasuk (0000-0001-6013-7859, University of Toronto), Erica Di Ruggiero (0000-0002-8935-7908, University of Toronto), Daniel Sellen (0000-0003-2124-6977, University of Toronto), Deborah L O’Connor (0000-0001-6331-091X, University of Toronto, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume16
Issue3
Pagese12957-e12957
Publication date2020-01-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.12957
PMID31984642
OpenAlexW3003596136
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited39

The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) provides a variety of health and nutrition supports to vulnerable mothers and strongly promotes breastfeeding but does not have a formal framework for postnatal lactation support. Breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates in Canada fall well below global recommendations, particularly among socially and economically vulnerable women. We aimed to explore CPNP participant experiences with breastfeeding and with a novel community lactation support program in Toronto, Canada that included access to certified lactation consultants and an electric breast pump, if needed. Four semistructured focus groups and 21 individual interviews (n = 46 women) were conducted between September and December 2017. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Study participants reported a strong desire to breastfeed but a lack of preparation for breastfeeding-associated challenges. Three main challenges were identified by study participants: physical (e.g., pain and low milk supply), practical (e.g., cost of breastfeeding support and maternal time pressures), and breastfeeding self-efficacy (e.g., concern about milk supply and conflicting information). Mothers reported that the free lactation support helped to address breastfeeding challenges. In their view, the key element of success with the new program was the in-home visit by the lactation consultant, who was highly skilled and provided care in a non-judgmental manner. They reported this support would have been otherwise unavailable due to cost or travel logistics. This study suggests value in exploring the addition of postnatal lactation support to the well-established national CPNP as a means to improve breastfeeding duration and exclusivity among vulnerable women

Breast feeding · Breast milk · Breastfeeding · Family medicine · Focus group · Lactation · Pregnancy · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Nursing · Pediatrics