Mothers' experiences of feeding their infants during first three months after birth

—The process by which mothers found out how to feed their babies—

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study is to understand and describe mothers' experiences of breastfeeding by looking at the process of their finding out how to breastfeed while caring for their infant.
Method
The subjects were four women who consented to cooperate for this research. The data was collected with semi-structured interviews hold five times from pre-delivery through three months postpartum. The data was interpreted with phenomenology of Giorgi which was chosen as the most appropriate method for this study as it fits well with exploring meanings of experiences.
Result
The experiences of breastfeeding described by the four women were unique. Case A : “My breast is a sort of tranquilizer for my baby. I know breastfeeding is ultimate means of giving comfort to my baby.” Case B : “I want to breastfeed anytime as long as my baby needs my breast.” Case C : “I noticed that it is important to work in harmony between me and my baby in order to get on well with each other.” And D case : “Breastfeeding is life itself for my baby, and it occupied my mind in the early months after birth.” And then by typifying these mothers' experiences, the following three patterns were explored, 1) Paying attention to babies' reaction while they are being fed. 2) Try to find their own appropriate ways of breastfeeding while checking babies' response. 3) Supported by appreciated feedback from babies about breastfeeding.
Conclusion
The mothers' experiences of trying to get over the feeling of difficulty in breastfeeding were identified. They acquired their own ways of breastfeeding while getting feedback from their babies and found the key to overcome the feeling of difficulty in breastfeeding during everyday breastfeeding. Midwives need to support and watch such process between mother and baby.