There’s a Little Bit of Tension There’

Perspectives of mothers and early childhood educators on breast-feeding in child care centers

Bibliographic Data

ID15095673
AuthorsJill R Demirci (0000-0002-4802-7849, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, corresponding author), Renate Dieterich (0000-0002-3209-1002, Chatham University), Melissa L Glasser (0000-0001-9857-3576, University of Pittsburgh), Melissa Glasser (School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh), Caroline Harpel (0000-0002-8801-9341, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield), Timothy R Shope (0000-0002-0974-2639, University of Pittsburgh), Timothy Shope (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine)
Year2025
Volume28
Issue1
Pagese38-e38
Publication date2025-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980024002313
PMID39764634
OpenAlexW4406124731
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited32

Objective: To explore mothers’ and early childhood (EC) educators’ experiences of breast-feeding/breast milk provision and breast-feeding support in child care centres (CCC) in the USA. Design: We conducted one-time, semi-structured phone interviews with mothers and EC educators to examine perceptions of support, accommodations and barriers to breast-feeding in CCC. We administered a background survey to assess participant characteristics and quantify perceived degree of breast-feeding support in the workplace (mothers) and CCC (mothers and EC educators). Setting: US-based CCC Participants: Fifty working mothers using CCC for their infants and twenty-two EC educators Results: Interview themes and background surveys reflected neutral feelings towards breast-feeding support received (mothers) and provided (EC educators) in CCC. Maternal expectations for breast-feeding support in CCC were generally low; workplace and social support for breast-feeding were perceived as the most important factors impacting breast-feeding. EC educators’ capacity to offer breast-feeding support was constrained by CCC infant feeding regulations, inadequate breast-feeding training and time limitations. Tensions arose when mothers attempted to manage low milk supply at the CCC level by requesting EC educators to individualise feeding or milk storage practices for their infant. Conclusions: Breast-feeding efforts of working mothers are undermined in multiple settings, including the workplace and CCC. Improving breast-feeding outcomes for this population requires structural/policy changes that: (1) maximise opportunities for continued, direct breast-feeding and maternal/infant proximity and (2) enforce evidence-based CCC feeding protocols and standards and EC educator lactation training

Bit (key · Breastfeeding · Child care · Developmental psychology · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Computer Science · Medicine · Nursing · Pediatric health and respiratory diseases · Psychology · Pediatrics

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