Khalaf Atika, Mathew Rebecca, Ny Pernilla
The PRO-CARE Group, Faculty of Health Science, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden.
Hind Bint Maktoum College of Nursing and Midwifery, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE.
PLoS One. 2025 Apr 17;20(4):e0319789. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319789. eCollection 2025.
Exclusive breastfeeding is essential for infant health, yet its practice varies across generations and cultures. Although the health benefits of breastfeeding have been well known for decades, the utilization of infant formula feeding worldwide and in Oman, in particular, continues to rise, most likely as a result of a lack of social support and the time limit faced by working mothers. Little is known about the factors affecting Omani mothers' breastfeeding experiences and practices. Therefore, this study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of breastfeeding practices among three generations of Omani mothers.
This qualitative study investigated exclusive breastfeeding practices among three generations of Omani mothers. Participants were recruited using a selective approach followed by a snowball technique, resulting in a total of 50 women, which included 17 first-generation mothers, 18 grandmothers, and 15 great-grandmothers. Participants were characterized by varying ages and socio-demographic backgrounds. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted in Arabic, and data collection continued until data saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis methodology, ensuring robustness and credibility.
The analysis yielded two main categories reflecting the mothers' experiences, three representing the grandmothers' experiences, and two concerning the great-grandmothers' experiences. While overarching themes like the significance of breastfeeding emerged across all generations, disparities were seen concerning challenges, beliefs, and support systems. Mothers highlighted contemporary hurdles such as work-life balance and societal pressures, whereas grandmothers emphasized inherited practices and cultural norms. Great-grandmothers reflected on the evolution of societal and familial dynamics impacting breastfeeding traditions. Despite these differences, a shared commitment to breastfeeding and recognition of its importance for maternal and child well-being was evident across generations.
The findings underscore the importance of societal support, healthcare provider education, and workplace policies in promoting exclusive breastfeeding. Targeted interventions are needed to address barriers to breastfeeding and empower women to make informed feeding choices. By addressing these challenges, societal institutions can contribute to achieving higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding and improve maternal and child health outcomes in Oman.
纯母乳喂养对婴儿健康至关重要，但其在不同代际和文化中的实践情况各异。尽管母乳喂养的健康益处已为人所知数十年，但全球范围内，尤其是在阿曼，婴儿配方奶粉喂养的使用率仍在持续上升，这很可能是由于缺乏社会支持以及职业母亲面临时间限制所致。对于影响阿曼母亲母乳喂养经历和实践的因素，人们了解甚少。因此，本研究旨在深入了解三代阿曼母亲的母乳喂养实践经历。
本定性研究调查了三代阿曼母亲的纯母乳喂养实践情况。采用选择性抽样方法，随后运用滚雪球技术招募参与者，共招募了50名女性，其中包括17名第一代母亲、18名祖母和15名曾祖母。参与者具有不同的年龄和社会人口背景。以阿拉伯语进行半结构化面对面访谈，数据收集持续到达到数据饱和。使用定性内容分析方法对数据进行分析，以确保其稳健性和可信度。
分析得出反映母亲经历的两个主要类别、反映祖母经历的三个类别以及反映曾祖母经历的两个类别。虽然母乳喂养的重要性等总体主题在所有代际中都有体现，但在挑战、观念和支持系统方面存在差异。母亲们强调了工作与生活平衡和社会压力等当代障碍，而祖母们则强调了传承的做法和文化规范。曾祖母们反思了影响母乳喂养传统的社会和家庭动态的演变。尽管存在这些差异，但各代人对母乳喂养的共同承诺以及认识到其对母婴福祉的重要性是显而易见的。
研究结果强调了社会支持、医疗保健提供者教育和工作场所政策在促进纯母乳喂养方面的重要性。需要有针对性的干预措施来消除母乳喂养的障碍，并使妇女能够做出明智的喂养选择。通过应对这些挑战，社会机构可以为提高阿曼的纯母乳喂养率和改善母婴健康结果做出贡献。
