Back Issue Vol 12 No 2 July 2004
- Improving community acceptance of breastfeeding in public: A collaborative approach Rose Boyd and Ellen McIntyre
Abstract: This project, conducted from 2001 to 2003, reports the results of an action research plan aimed to improve community acceptability of breastfeeding in public through the accreditation and promotion of breastfeeding friendly venues in Australia. The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) along with other breastfeeding support groups, the media, community groups and organisations have collaborated on this project to promote and distribute over 17 000 'Breastfeeding Welcome Here' kits. The strong links established with ABA and the use of their logo have assisted in promotion of the kit and enabled the initiative to be sustainable beyond the project. The identification of breastfeeding friendly venues has provided more places for mothers to breastfeed in a welcoming environment when out of the home, while at the same time communicating to the community that breastfeeding is acceptable anywhere. Information about the national kit and how to obtain copies is located on the ABA website: www.breastfeeding.asn.au.
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- Physical exercise and the lactating woman: a qualitative pilot study of mothers' perceptions and experiences Monica Rich, Janet Currie and Catherine McMahon
Abstract: This study aimed to explore the lactating woman's perceptions and experiences of physical exercise. Utilising quantitative and qualitative measures, six lactating women ( age = 31.6 years) who had recently given birth and were engaging in regular exercise, took part in open-ended, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires which focused on their individual experiences. The mothers also completed inventories measuring self-esteem, the presence of postnatal depression, and a retrospective survey gauging their preconception, prenatal and current participation in physical activity. The main themes to emerge from the content analysis of the qualitative data included perceived well-being from improved energy and stress levels, and weight control. Some of the mothers stated that exercise affected their breastfeeding in a negative way by possibly reducing their breastmilk supply. All mothers confirmed exercise as enhancing the maternal-infant relationship. It is recommended that future research be conducted into the exercise prescription guidelines for women to enhance breastfeeding success.
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- An analysis of the breastfeeding practices of a group of mothers living in Victoria, Australia Jennifer P James
Abstract: While breastfeeding is widely acknowledged as the best way to feed babies, few studies have incorporated a holistic approach when attempting to understand breastfeeding 'success' or 'failure'. This study attempted to identify the overall experience of breastfeeding for the women who participated, describe the nature of those experiences and determine which, if any, influences can be modified or changed within the confines of health policy and practice. The study found a range of independent variables that appeared to negatively influence both the experience and the duration of breastfeeding. These variables included antenatal influences such as employment status, education and social support; intrapartal influences such as type of birth, when the first feed occurred and how the mother perceived the first feed and postpartal influences such as introduction of other feeds, multiple problems, where the baby slept overnight and the use of pacifiers. Findings from the study identified a number of modifiable practices that could be developed which would have the potential to increase breastfeeding duration.
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