Lived Experience Of Breastfeeding Mothers With Breast-Refusal Infants

Abstract

This qualitative research study used Heidegger phenomenological interpretation approach. The purpose was to describe the meaning and experiences of breastfeeding mothers with breast-refusal infants. The informants were mothers 6 to 12 months postpartum who had experiences of breastfeeding and breast-refusal infants since the infants were born to 6 months of age. Data were collected by using the in-depth interview with tape-record and found saturated after 13 informants. Data were analyzed by using van Manen method. This study was supported by Graduate School and Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University The findings revealed the meaning of maternal experiences with breast-refusal infants as an imperfect mother who could not breastfeed her baby and yet had to fight against her own baby will. The experiences of mothers in breastfeeding for infants with breast-refusal could be categorized into 4 major themes as follows: 1) difficulties in and suffering from breastfeeding due to confusion and inability to find the cause, the fear of baby not getting enough milk, feeling guilty and self-blaming, being disappointed and sad and tired with discourage 2) finding the way to get over the problems by looking it like a small problem and trying to have positive thinking, trying everything to get the baby breastfeed, searching knowledge from social network, consulting friend who had experience, building goals for herself 3) being patient and trying to get the best things for the baby, and 4) important surrounding supports from husband, family and relative, and the baby as the inspiration.