Earle S
School of Health & Policy Studies, Faculty of Health & Community Care, University of Central England, Franchise Street, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2SU, UK.
Midwifery. 2000 Dec;16(4):323-30. doi: 10.1054/midw.2000.0222.
To explore women's experiences and perceptions of baby feeding and to explore the explanations offered by women who choose to either breast or bottle feed.
A qualitative study, which was prospective in design. Participants were interviewed three times: the first stage was between six and 14 weeks of pregnancy; the second stage was between 34 and 39 weeks; and the third stage was between six and 14 weeks after childbirth.
19 participants were recruited to the study group via 12 antenatal clinics in Coventry, UK.
The data indicate that participants make baby-feeding decisions either prior to conception or early in the pregnancy. Findings also indicate that both breast and bottle feeders possessed knowledge of the benefits of breast feeding, but this did not seem to influence decision making. One of the most significant factors influencing the decision to bottle feed appears to be a desire for paternal involvement.
To increase the incidence of breast feeding, health-care professionals should consider the need for preconceptual health promotion. The role of paternal involvement in baby-feeding decisions also needs to be acknowledged and men need to be included in breast-feeding promotion campaigns.
探讨女性在婴儿喂养方面的经历和看法，并探究选择母乳喂养或奶瓶喂养的女性所给出的理由。
一项定性研究，设计上具有前瞻性。对参与者进行了三次访谈：第一阶段在怀孕6至14周之间；第二阶段在34至39周之间；第三阶段在产后6至14周之间。
通过英国考文垂的12家产前诊所招募了19名参与者进入研究组。
数据表明，参与者在受孕前或怀孕早期就做出了婴儿喂养的决定。研究结果还表明，母乳喂养者和奶瓶喂养者都了解母乳喂养的好处，但这似乎并未影响决策。影响选择奶瓶喂养的最重要因素之一似乎是希望父亲参与进来。
为提高母乳喂养率，医疗保健专业人员应考虑孕前健康促进的必要性。还需要认识到父亲参与婴儿喂养决策的作用，并且男性应被纳入母乳喂养促进活动中。
