Ms. Louise Gallagher

Summary

This is a national survey which commenced in April 2008. The purpose of this study is to provide baseline data on the rate of exclusive and partial breastfeeding at 3-4 months and 6-7 months following birth. To ascertain what factors influence a decision to breastfeed or not and to determine the reasons given by women for stopping breastfeeding at all stages.

Funding Agency

Health Service executive

Project Type

Survey

Summary

Aim of study: to assess if the Rotunda is meeting the maternity and gynaecology needs of women in the north inner city Dublin

Funding Agency

Rotunda hospital and Dublin City Council

Project Type

qualitative exploratory study

Summary

The aim of this study is to assess the perceptions of a group of peer supporters in relation to the education programme. This research inquiry will be guided by the principles of Action Research (A.R.) as described by Rolfe (1998).

Project Type

Action research

Summary

There is extensive evidence for the long and short-term benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and infant. Comprehensive national information regarding infant feeding practices in Ireland has been limited. Aims: This study was designed to examine rates of exclusive and partial breastfeeding at 48 hours after birth, 3-4 months and 6-7 months postnatal and to identify factors that influence a decision to breastfeed. It also aimed to explore unsatisfactory breastfeeding experiences among the survey group, and the potential impact that these might have on future infant feeding choices for those women who discontinued breastfeeding in the early postpartum period. Methodology: Mixed-methods research, underpinned by a pragmatist philosophy, was chosen as the most appropriate method to address the research question as it enabled the development of a complete and full understanding of the factors affecting initiation and duration of breastfeeding. application of the results in a manner that could bring about positive consequences for breastfeeding in Ireland. Findings: The results showed that the initiation and duration of breastfeeding in the study cohort remained well below other European countries, with just over half of the women initiating breastfeeding (56%) and less than one in five (19%) fully breastfeeding at 3-4 months of age. Exclusive breastfeeding was reported by 13% (n=61) of the 461 mothers who responded to Phase 3. This is just 6% of the 1002 mothers who responded to Phase 2 and who had breastfed their infants at birth. The compelling relationship between maternal socio-demographic characteristics and breastfeeding initiation was once again demonstrated by the results of this study. Without exception, having a higher socio-economic status clearly favours breastfeeding at birth. In particular, mothers' health-insurance status mediates the effect of several other variables and has been found in this study to be an important factor in the determinant of initiation of breastfeeding initiation. Vivid accounts of personal failure and guilt were portrayed by women who had had a suboptimal encounter with breastfeeding. Women defined this failure as not having achieved their breastfeeding goals in relation to the targets that they had set for themselves. Findings from this study have confirmed that the messages currently conveyed around the superiority of breastfeeding also lead to significant guilt for women when they have a short and unsatisfactory breastfeeding encounter. Women in the present study viewed the widely adopted health-promotion message of 'breast is best' as a contributor to idealistic and often unrealistic notions of the ease of breastfeeding. The qualitative aspect of the present study highlights significant deficiencies in the current level and quality of postnatal support for breastfeeding. It is also evident that breastfeeding is inextricably linked to being a 'good mother', and that cessation compounds a sense of failure in both mothering abilities and the skill of breastfeeding. Furthermore, the results show that pain may have significant and long-lasting implications for mothers when considering future infant feeding choices. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate multiple social and cultural factors pertinent to initiation and duration and have implications for breastfeeding promotion and policy together with delivery of existing antenatal and postnatal services. Achieving the recommendations of this study, designed to promote, support and change the culture of breastfeeding in Ireland will begin to bring about the significant shift required, to improve rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration.

Funding Agency

HRB

Programme

HRB Research Training Fellowships for Healthcare Professionals

Project Type

PhD

Person Months

36

Summary

The findings of a research study on the factors affecting initiation and duration of breastfeeding in Ireland study were communicated to the original participants, midwives and other key stakeholders including the HSE, National breastfeeding co-ordinator and breastfeeding peer supporters in a series of workshops. These workshops took place at four venues round the country. These seminars were an opportunity to enhance the understanding of the results and bring about a change in how mothers and stakeholders communicate about breastfeeding and used a video to give an overview of the findings and recommendations from the study. The dissemination revealed that women and participants agreed with the studies main findings and suggested that priority should be given to providing breastfeeding support to first time mothers at every feed in the first few days, to reduce the incidence of feeding challenges at this time. Priority was also given by participants to the need to continue such support in the initial days following birth and provide continued help from midwives following discharge from hospital.

Funding Agency

HRB

Programme

KEDS

Project Type

Dissemination of research activities

Person Months

12