Experiences and attitudes of breastfeeding mothers related to support on their breastfeeding journeys: a reflexive thematic analysis

Background Although breastfeeding provides many benefits for infants as well as mothers, the UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates worldwide. While 54.3% of mothers start breastfeeding after birth, only 1% exclusively breastfeed for the first six months and barely anyone continues for up to two years as, recommended by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Methods Eight interviews were conducted with mothers who breastfed for at least nine months of their baby’s life. The participants were between 38 and 52 years old and originated from different countries. They all had a similar level of education and partnership status while breastfeeding, and all lived in East London at the time of the study. Results Four themes were created from the interview transcripts: “Breastfeeding is hard”, “Breastfeeding is magical”, “Breastfeeding is an emotional rollercoaster”, and “Support is everything”. Conclusion There are two key findings. First, support is crucial when it comes to breastfeeding. Support may be given by the mother’s partner or by her own mother, but the support from other mothers and healthcare professionals is especially important. This support can even be provided by phone/video call to conserve the resources off the healthcare professional and the energy of the new mother. Second, education and knowledge about breastfeeding will better prepare a mother and increase her self-confidence, enabling her to make an informed choice about breastfeeding.