A longitudinal study of breastfeeding relationships at home during the COVID-19 pandemic: A grounded theory method.
Natsuko K Wood, Kathleen R Helfrich-Miller, Ann M Dyer
PMID 38738588WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers described breastfeeding at home as bonding and emotional well-being, but also shaped by pumping, bottles, pacifiers, schedules, sleep training and phone use.
Key findings
01Mothers described breastfeeding at home as a relationship centred on mutual responsiveness, bonding, relaxation and satisfaction.
02Feeding practices included infant-led unrestricted breastfeeding and co-sleeping, alongside expressed milk bottles, scheduled feeding, sleep training, pacifiers and smartphone use.
03Mothers judged breastfeeding adequacy mainly from milk supply and infant suckling, using dirty diapers and weight gain to reassure themselves.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was a convenience sample of online stay-at-home mothers, mostly White, married and multiparous, so it may not apply to first-time mothers or families without home internet. Only 26 of 30 enrolled dyads were analysed because four stopped direct breastfeeding, which may leave out mothers who had the hardest experiences. Findings came from self-reported written answers to open-ended questions, not observed feeding, objective milk supply or infant outcomes. The study describes experiences and themes, not tested effects, so it cannot show that breastfeeding improves mood, prevents depression or causes relationship changes. The data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic and may not generalise to settings with different breastfeeding support.
Declared interests
The study was supported by a Sigma Theta Tau International small grant, and the authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that breastfeeding prevents postpartum depression or that nurses should change policy. The study asked mothers to describe their experiences, did not measure depression outcomes, and the authors' recommendations come from the Discussion.