Experience of non-breastfeeding mothers: Norms and ethically responsible risk communication

• Published in: Nursing ethics 2016-03, Vol.23 (2), p.231-241
• Main Author: Fahlquist, Jessica Nihlén
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: bottle feeding; Breast Feeding - psychology; Breast Feeding - statistics & numerical data; breast-feeding; Communication; Emotions; experience; Female; Humans; Infant; mothers; Mothers - psychology; Mothers - statistics & numerical data; Netherlands; non-breast feeding; Nurse-Patient Relations - ethics; nursing; Qualitative Research; Risk; Social Norms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweden; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 0969-7330; 1477-0989; 1477-0989
• DOI: 10.1177/0969733014561913

Background: Breastfeeding is currently strongly recommended by midwives and paediatricians, and the recommendations are based on documents provided by the World Health Organization and public health authorities worldwide. Research question: The underlying question is, how are non-breastfeeding mothers affected emotionally when informed that breastfeeding is the safest and healthiest option? Research design: The method used is an anonymous web-based qualitative survey exploring the narratives of non-breastfeeding mothers, published on Thesistools.com. The aim is to achieve qualitative knowledge about the emotions of non-breastfeeding mothers. Participants and research context: Participants were based in Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and were selected through a purposeful sample. Ethical considerations: The online survey anonymizes responses automatically, and all respondents had to tick a box agreeing to be quoted anonymously in scientific articles. The study conforms to research ethics guidelines. Findings: Respondents describe how they were affected, and the following themes emerged in studying their descriptions: depression, anxiety and pain, feeling failed as a mother and woman, loss of freedom/feeling trapped, relief and guilt. Discussion: The themes are discussed against the background of the ethics of care and a theory of ethically responsible risk communication. Conclusion: Three conclusions are made. First, the message should become more empathetic. Second, information should be given in an attentive dialogue. Third, information providers should evaluate effects in a more inclusive way.