Spannhake Mariz, Jansen Charlotte, Görig Tatiana, Diehl Katharina
Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Heidelberg University, Ludolf-Krehl-Straße 7-11, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Oct 11;9(10):1352. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9101352.
Breastfeeding is associated with positive health outcomes for both child and mother. Nevertheless, some women experience breastfeeding problems which commonly lead to early cessation, or not starting breastfeeding at all. Our aim was to explore how women that have difficulties in breastfeeding perceive their situation and how they actively manage it. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 mothers living in Germany who had experienced breastfeeding problems. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Breastfeeding problems occurred due to different reasons and had a huge impact, as evidenced in the four main themes of the findings: individual situation, managing the situation, perceived consequences for relations, feelings, and potential future pregnancies, and perceived health consequences for the mother. They frequently experienced negative emotions, including psychological distress and mental health problems, with perceived negative consequences for the mother-infant-bonding. Trying to actively manage the situation and availability of social support seemed to have a relieving effect, whereas confrontation and lack of understanding worsened the situation. Breastfeeding problems and the inability to breastfeed can have a great influence on maternal well-being. These can affect different aspects of a mother's life, including the attachment to the child. Providing support for actively managing the situation and supporting the exchange of experience between mothers who perceive breastfeeding problems may help mothers to better deal with their situation. Our findings may help health professionals to understand what these mothers feel and how they can support these women in a sensitive way.
母乳喂养对儿童和母亲的健康都有积极影响。然而，一些女性在母乳喂养方面存在问题，这通常会导致过早停止母乳喂养，甚至根本不开始母乳喂养。我们的目的是探讨有母乳喂养困难的女性如何看待自己的情况以及她们如何积极应对。我们对15位居住在德国且有母乳喂养问题经历的母亲进行了半结构化访谈。访谈进行了录音，逐字转录，并采用定性内容分析法进行分析。母乳喂养问题产生的原因各不相同，且影响巨大，研究结果的四个主要主题体现了这一点：个人情况、应对情况、对关系、情感和未来潜在怀孕的感知后果，以及对母亲健康的感知后果。她们经常经历负面情绪，包括心理困扰和心理健康问题，这对母婴关系产生了负面影响。试图积极应对情况以及获得社会支持似乎有缓解作用，而对抗和缺乏理解则会使情况恶化。母乳喂养问题和无法进行母乳喂养会对母亲的幸福感产生很大影响。这些会影响母亲生活的不同方面，包括与孩子的情感联结。为积极应对情况提供支持，并促进有母乳喂养问题的母亲之间的经验交流，可能有助于母亲更好地应对自己的情况。我们的研究结果可能有助于健康专业人员了解这些母亲的感受以及如何以敏感的方式支持这些女性。
