The little things: perceptions of breastfeeding support.

OBJECTIVE

To describe how maternal-child staff nurses support breastfeeding mothers during the postpartum hospital stay and how these mothers perceive the support received from the nurses.

DESIGN

Ethnographic.

SETTING

Data were collected at a community hospital in southeastern Florida.

PARTICIPANTS

Unstructured interviews were conducted with seven maternal-child nurses caring for breastfeeding mothers. The investigator observed 12 nurses' interactions with breastfeeding mothers and newborns. Eight breastfeeding mothers were interviewed, using a semistructured guide, in the hospital before discharge and at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum.

RESULTS

Nurses supported breastfeeding mothers by providing information and interpersonal support. Breastfeeding mothers expected the nurses to support their feeding efforts by providing information, encouragement, and interpersonal support.

CONCLUSION

Health care providers can help breastfeeding mothers, but the support offered must be the kind that mothers want.