It's more than just luck : A qualitative exploration of breastfeeding in rural Australia

Journal article


McKellar, Lois, Fleet, Julie and Dove, Shona. (2018). It's more than just luck : A qualitative exploration of breastfeeding in rural Australia. Women and Birth. 31(3), pp. 177-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.09.005
AuthorsMcKellar, Lois, Fleet, Julie and Dove, Shona
Abstract

Problem
Despite significant public health benefits, breastfeeding for six months continues to be challenging for women.

Background
In the Mid North of South Australia, healthcare professionals were concerned that breastfeeding rates were lower than the national average and that a collaborative approach was needed to promote breastfeeding.

Aim
To explore the experiences of women and health professional in the Mid North, to inform interventions to improve breastfeeding longevity.

Method
Two focus groups were conducted to examine breastfeeding experience in the region. Focus group one included nine mothers who had breastfed more than six months and focus group two consisted of ten health professionals from the Mid North. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Findings
Two overarching themes were identified; ‘breastfeeding: It’s more than just luck’ represented the voices of the mothers and ‘breastfeeding: It’s everybody’s business’ captured the discussion between the health professionals. Women described themselves as lucky while acknowledging that their own persistence, as well as positive support was vital. Health professionals identified education and support as key foci, and a need for a holistic approach to improve breastfeeding rates.

Discussion
Breastfeeding should be understood as a relationship, in which broadly applied solutions do not necessarily influence longevity, particularly in rural communities. Strategies should also reflect a realistic picture of breastfeeding and safeguard against idealistic expectation of the experience.

Conclusion
A holistic approach to improve breastfeeding rates is imperative. One of the most promising antidotes to the breastfeeding dilemma is the provision of midwifery continuity of care.

Keywordsbreastfeeding ; rural health; public health; midwifery; midwifery-led care
Year01 Jan 2018
JournalWomen and Birth
Journal citation31 (3), pp. 177-183
PublisherElsevier Australia
ISSN1871-5192
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.09.005
Web address (URL)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871519217300914?via%3Dihub
Open accessPublished as non-open access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range177-183
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online21 Sep 2017
Publication process dates
Accepted01 Sep 2017
Deposited26 Jul 2024
Additional information

© 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian College of Midwives.

Source of funding: SANSOM Institute Small grant, University of SA.

Place of publicationNetherlands
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https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/90v71/it-s-more-than-just-luck-a-qualitative-exploration-of-breastfeeding-in-rural-australia

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