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Qualitative
Some women found breast feeding physically and emotionally demanding

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.10.2.62

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    Kelleher CM. The physical challenges of early breastfeeding. Soc Sci Med 2006;63:2727–38.OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science

    Q What are women’s experiences of pain and discomfort associated with breast feeding?

    DESIGN

    Qualitative, comparative sociological study.

    SETTING

    2 postpartum units in Boston, Massachusetts, USA and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

    PARTICIPANTS

    52 women (mean age 31 y) who gave birth vaginally approximately 5 weeks previously (mean 34 d postpartum) and had breast fed for any length of time. 62% of women were mothers for the first time. 37% of women were born outside of Canada and the US. 90% of women were still breast feeding at the time of the interview.

    METHODS

    Women participated in semistructured, indepth interviews (mean duration 65 min). They were asked about their feeding practices, experiences, and assistance or support they received. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, checked for accuracy, and analysed for emergent themes. The analysis focused on 33 women who discussed pain and/or discomfort associated with breast feeding.

    MAIN FINDINGS

    No one tells you. Women, especially first time mothers, found the duration and extent of physical …

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    Footnotes

    • For correspondence: Dr C M Kelleher, McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA. Christa.kelleher{at}umb.edu

    • Source of funding: US Department of Health and Human Services (AHRQ grant R03 HS10790–01).