Women's Health Development Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Department of Nursing, MARA Poly-Tech College, 15050, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Jan 31;22(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-04304-4.
Breastfeeding practice is influenced by the mother's attitude toward and knowledge of breastfeeding. Working mothers face many challenges and need support to maintain breastfeeding. This study aimed to explore working mothers' breastfeeding experiences and challenges that can influenced their practices.
The qualitative phenomenological approach involving working mothers in Kota Bharu who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and consented to participate in the study were recruited using purposive sampling. Sixteen participants aged 24 to 46 years were interviewed using semi-structured in-depth interviews in the study. All interviews were recorded in digital audio, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Three main themes emerged from the data analysis: perception of breastfeeding, challenges in breastfeeding, and support for breastfeeding. Two subthemes for perceptions were perception towards breastfeeding and towards infant formula. Challenges had two subthemes too which were related to perceived insufficient milk and breastfeeding difficulty. Where else, two subthemes for support were internal support (spouse and family) and external support (friends, employer, and healthcare staff).
Maintaining breastfeeding after return to work is challenging for working mothers and majority of them need support to continue breastfeeding practice. Support from their spouses and families' influences working mothers' decision to breastfeed. Employers play a role in providing a support system and facilities in the workplace for mothers to express and store breast milk. Both internal and external support are essential for mothers to overcome challenges in order to achieve success in breastfeeding.
母乳喂养的实践受到母亲对母乳喂养的态度和知识的影响。职业母亲面临许多挑战，需要支持以维持母乳喂养。本研究旨在探讨职业母亲的母乳喂养经验和挑战，这些经验和挑战可能会影响她们的实践。
采用定性现象学方法，使用目的抽样法招募了符合纳入标准并同意参与研究的哥打巴鲁的职业母亲。研究中使用半结构式深度访谈采访了 16 名年龄在 24 至 46 岁之间的参与者。所有访谈均以数字音频录制、逐字转录，并使用主题分析进行分析。
数据分析中出现了三个主要主题：对母乳喂养的看法、母乳喂养的挑战和对母乳喂养的支持。对母乳喂养的看法有两个子主题，分别是对母乳喂养和婴儿配方奶的看法。挑战也有两个子主题，分别是感知到的母乳不足和母乳喂养困难。支持有两个子主题，分别是内部支持（配偶和家人）和外部支持（朋友、雇主和医疗保健人员）。
职业母亲在返回工作后维持母乳喂养具有挑战性，大多数母亲需要支持才能继续母乳喂养。配偶和家人的支持影响了职业母亲母乳喂养的决定。雇主在工作场所提供支持系统和设施来表达和储存母乳方面发挥作用。内部和外部支持对于母亲克服挑战并成功进行母乳喂养都是必不可少的。
