Breastfeeding Experiences among Thai Adolescent Mothers: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
Keywords:
Breastfeeding, Experiences, Thai Adolescent Mothers, Qualitative DescriptiveAbstract
The benefits of breastfeeding for maternal and infants’ health are well-recognized. In comparison to other age groups of mothers, however, adolescent mothers have lower rates of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. To develop unique breastfeeding intervention, it is crucial to understand how adolescent mothers perceived about breastfeeding. This study aimed to explore Thai adolescent mothers’ experiences related to breastfeeding for the first six months. A descriptive qualitative design was conducted using semi-structure in-depth interviews. Twenty adolescent mothers were purposively recruited. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used for data analysis.
The findings revealed that adolescent mothers explained their breastfeeding experiences through the following five themes: identifying positive aspects of breastfeeding; breastfeeding challenges; social support; returning to work/studies, and breastfeeding in public. These themes were found to be related to breastfeeding decisions, duration, and exclusivity. Breastfeeding experiences among Thai adolescent mothers showed complex factors involving multilevel influences of social systems. Therefore, promotion and support of successful breastfeeding should recognize the influences of personal factors of adolescent mothers and their environments simultaneously, particularly complexity of family problems.
References
1. Horta BL, Victora CG. Short-term effects of breastfeeding: a systematic review on the benefits of breastfeeding on diarrhea and pneumonia mortality. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013.
2. Kramer MS, Kakuma R. Optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012; 8: 1-139.
3. Tharpe N, Farley CL, Jordan RG. Clinical practice guidelines for midwifery and women’s health. Massachusetts MA: Jones & Bartlett; 2013.
4. Black RE, Allen LH, Bhutta ZA, Caulfield LE, de Onis M, Ezzati M, et al. Maternal and child undernutrition: global and regional exposures and health consequences. Lancet. 2008; 371(9608): 243-260.
5. World Health Organization/United Nations Children’s Fund. Global nutrition targets 2025: breastfeeding policy brief. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014. https://www. who.int/nutrition/topics/globaltargets_breastfeeding_policy brief.pdf
6. Black RE, Victora CG, Walker SP, Bhutta ZA, Christian P, de Onis M, et al. Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet. 2013; 382(9890): 427-451.
7. National Statistical Office and United Nations Children’s Fund. Thailand multiple indicator cluster survey 2015-2016: Final Report. NSO and UNICEF: Bangkok; 2016.
8. Woods NK, Chesser AK, Wipperman J. Describing adolescent breastfeeding environments through focus groups in an urban community. J Prim Care Community Health. 2013; 4(4): 307-310.
9. Uzun AK, Orhon FS, Baskan S, Ulukol B. A comparison between adolescent mothers and adult mothers in terms of maternal and infant outcomes at follow-ups. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2013; 26(5):454-458.
10. Scanlon KS, Grummer-Strawn LM, Chen J, Molinari N, Perrine CG. Racial and ethnic differences in breastfeeding initiation and duration by state - National immunization survey, United States, 2004-2008. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010; 59(11), 327–334.
11. Thai Department of Health. Statistics on Adolescent Births, Thailand 2013. Bangkok: Department of Health. 2013 [cited 2016 March 10]. Available from https://rh.anamai. moph.go.th/download/all_file/brochure/statistics_ adolescent.pdf
12. DeVito J. How adolescent mothers feel about becoming a parent. J Perinat Educ. 2010; 19(2): 25-34.
13. Steinberg L. A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Dev Rev. 2008; 28(1): 78-106.
14. Dhayanandhan B, Bohr Y, Connolly J. Developmental task attainment and child abuse potential in at-risk adolescent mothers. J Child Fam Stud. 2015; 24(7): 1987-1998.
15. Krol KM, Kamboj SK, Curran HV, Grossmann T. Breastfeeding experience differentially impacts recognition of happiness and anger in mothers. Scientific reports. 2014; 4: 7006.
16. Hunter L, Magill-Cuerden J. Young mothers’ decisions to initiate and continue breastfeeding in the UK: tensions inherent in the paradox between being, but not being able to be seen to be, a good mother. EBM. 2014;12(2): 46-51.
17. Monteiro JCS, Dias FA, Stefanello J, Reis MCG, Nakano AMS, Gomes-Sponholz FA. Breast feeding among Brazilian adolescents: Practice and needs. Midwifery. 2014; 30(3): 359-363.
18. Dennis CL, Heaman M, Mossman M. Psychometric testing of the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form among adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2011; 49(3): 265-271.
19. Hunter L, Magill-Cuerden J, McCourt C. Disempowered, passive and isolated: how teenage mothers’ postnatal inpatient experiences in the UK impact on the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. Matern Child Nutr. 2015; 11(1): 47-58.
20. Tucker CM, Wilson EK, Samandari G. Infant feeding experiences among teen mothers in North Carolina: Findings from a mixed-methods study. Int Breastfeed J. 2011; 6: 14.
21. Nesbitt SA, Campbell KA, Jack SM, Robinson H, Piehl K, Bogdan JC. Canadian adolescent mothers’ perceptions of influences on breastfeeding decisions: a qualitative descriptive study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012; 12: 149.
22. Sipsma HL, Magriples U, Divney A, Gordon D, Gabzdyl E, Kershaw T. Breastfeeding behavior among adolescents: initiation, duration, and exclusivity. J Adolesc Health. 2013; 53(3): 394-400.
23. Thorne S. Interpretive description. California: Left Coast Press; 2008.
24. Krueger RA, Casey MA. Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks CA: Sage Publications; 2000.
25. Mayring P. Qualitative content analysis. Forum Qual Soc Res. 2000;1(2): 1-10.
26. Lincoln YS, Guba EG. Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills CA: Sage Publications; 1985.
27. Smith PH, Coley SL, Labbok MH, Cupito S, Nwokah E. Early breastfeeding experiences of adolescent mothers: a qualitative prospective study. Int breastfeed J. 2012; 7(1): 13.
28. Kim P, Feldman R, Mayes LC, Eicher V, Thompson N, Leckman JF, et al. Breastfeeding, brain activation to own infant cry, and maternal sensitivity. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2011; 52(8): 907-915.
29. Stang J, Story M. Guidelines for adolescent nutrition services [Internet]. Minnesota: University of Minnesota; 2005 [cited 30 Jan 2016]. Available from: https://www.epi.umn.edu/ let/pubs/adol_book.shtm
30. Grassley JS. Adolescent mothers’ breastfeeding social support needs. JOGN Nurs. 2010; 39(6): 713-722.
31. Dehlendorf C, Marchi K, Vittinghoff E, Braveman P. Sociocultural determinants of teenage childbearing among Latinas in California. Matern Child Health J. 2010; 14(2): 194-201.
32. House JS. Work stress and social support. MA: Addison Wesley; 1981.
33. Negin J, Coffman J, Vizintin P, Raynes-Greenow C. The influence of grandmothers on breastfeeding rates: a systematic review. BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2016; 16: 91.
34. Pentecost R, Grassley JS. Adolescents’ needs for nurses’ support when initiating breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 2014; 30(2): 224-228.
35. Mazza VA., Nunes CT, Tararthuch ZP, Alexandre MC, Patel JV. Influence of social support networks for adolescent breastfeeding mothers in the process of breastfeeding. Cogitare Enferm. 2014; 19(2): 232-238.
36. McLeroy KR, Bibeau D, Steckler A, Glanz K. An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Educ Q. 1988; 15(4): 351-377.
37. Bueno-Gutierrez D, Chantry C. Using the socio-ecological framework to determine breastfeeding obstacles in a low-income population in Tijuana, Mexico: healthcare services. Breastfeed Med. 2015; 10(2): 124-131.
38. Nunes LM, Giugliani ER, Santo LC, de Oliveira LD. Reduction of unnecessary intake of water and herbal teas on breast-fed infants: a randomized clinical trial with adolescent mothers and grandmothers. J Adolesc Health. 2011; 49(3): 258-264.
39. de Oliveira LD, Giugliani ER, Santo LC, Nunes LM. Impact of a strategy to prevent the introduction of non-breast milk and complementary foods during the first 6 months of life: a randomized clinical trial with adolescent mothers and grandmothers. Early Hum Dev. 2012; 88(6): 357-361.
40. Bica OC, Giugliani ER. Influence of counseling sessions on the prevalence of breastfeeding in the first year of life: a randomized clinical trial with adolescent mothers and grandmothers. Birth. 2014; 41(1): 39-45.
2. Kramer MS, Kakuma R. Optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012; 8: 1-139.
3. Tharpe N, Farley CL, Jordan RG. Clinical practice guidelines for midwifery and women’s health. Massachusetts MA: Jones & Bartlett; 2013.
4. Black RE, Allen LH, Bhutta ZA, Caulfield LE, de Onis M, Ezzati M, et al. Maternal and child undernutrition: global and regional exposures and health consequences. Lancet. 2008; 371(9608): 243-260.
5. World Health Organization/United Nations Children’s Fund. Global nutrition targets 2025: breastfeeding policy brief. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014. https://www. who.int/nutrition/topics/globaltargets_breastfeeding_policy brief.pdf
6. Black RE, Victora CG, Walker SP, Bhutta ZA, Christian P, de Onis M, et al. Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet. 2013; 382(9890): 427-451.
7. National Statistical Office and United Nations Children’s Fund. Thailand multiple indicator cluster survey 2015-2016: Final Report. NSO and UNICEF: Bangkok; 2016.
8. Woods NK, Chesser AK, Wipperman J. Describing adolescent breastfeeding environments through focus groups in an urban community. J Prim Care Community Health. 2013; 4(4): 307-310.
9. Uzun AK, Orhon FS, Baskan S, Ulukol B. A comparison between adolescent mothers and adult mothers in terms of maternal and infant outcomes at follow-ups. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2013; 26(5):454-458.
10. Scanlon KS, Grummer-Strawn LM, Chen J, Molinari N, Perrine CG. Racial and ethnic differences in breastfeeding initiation and duration by state - National immunization survey, United States, 2004-2008. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010; 59(11), 327–334.
11. Thai Department of Health. Statistics on Adolescent Births, Thailand 2013. Bangkok: Department of Health. 2013 [cited 2016 March 10]. Available from https://rh.anamai. moph.go.th/download/all_file/brochure/statistics_ adolescent.pdf
12. DeVito J. How adolescent mothers feel about becoming a parent. J Perinat Educ. 2010; 19(2): 25-34.
13. Steinberg L. A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Dev Rev. 2008; 28(1): 78-106.
14. Dhayanandhan B, Bohr Y, Connolly J. Developmental task attainment and child abuse potential in at-risk adolescent mothers. J Child Fam Stud. 2015; 24(7): 1987-1998.
15. Krol KM, Kamboj SK, Curran HV, Grossmann T. Breastfeeding experience differentially impacts recognition of happiness and anger in mothers. Scientific reports. 2014; 4: 7006.
16. Hunter L, Magill-Cuerden J. Young mothers’ decisions to initiate and continue breastfeeding in the UK: tensions inherent in the paradox between being, but not being able to be seen to be, a good mother. EBM. 2014;12(2): 46-51.
17. Monteiro JCS, Dias FA, Stefanello J, Reis MCG, Nakano AMS, Gomes-Sponholz FA. Breast feeding among Brazilian adolescents: Practice and needs. Midwifery. 2014; 30(3): 359-363.
18. Dennis CL, Heaman M, Mossman M. Psychometric testing of the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form among adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2011; 49(3): 265-271.
19. Hunter L, Magill-Cuerden J, McCourt C. Disempowered, passive and isolated: how teenage mothers’ postnatal inpatient experiences in the UK impact on the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. Matern Child Nutr. 2015; 11(1): 47-58.
20. Tucker CM, Wilson EK, Samandari G. Infant feeding experiences among teen mothers in North Carolina: Findings from a mixed-methods study. Int Breastfeed J. 2011; 6: 14.
21. Nesbitt SA, Campbell KA, Jack SM, Robinson H, Piehl K, Bogdan JC. Canadian adolescent mothers’ perceptions of influences on breastfeeding decisions: a qualitative descriptive study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012; 12: 149.
22. Sipsma HL, Magriples U, Divney A, Gordon D, Gabzdyl E, Kershaw T. Breastfeeding behavior among adolescents: initiation, duration, and exclusivity. J Adolesc Health. 2013; 53(3): 394-400.
23. Thorne S. Interpretive description. California: Left Coast Press; 2008.
24. Krueger RA, Casey MA. Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks CA: Sage Publications; 2000.
25. Mayring P. Qualitative content analysis. Forum Qual Soc Res. 2000;1(2): 1-10.
26. Lincoln YS, Guba EG. Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills CA: Sage Publications; 1985.
27. Smith PH, Coley SL, Labbok MH, Cupito S, Nwokah E. Early breastfeeding experiences of adolescent mothers: a qualitative prospective study. Int breastfeed J. 2012; 7(1): 13.
28. Kim P, Feldman R, Mayes LC, Eicher V, Thompson N, Leckman JF, et al. Breastfeeding, brain activation to own infant cry, and maternal sensitivity. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2011; 52(8): 907-915.
29. Stang J, Story M. Guidelines for adolescent nutrition services [Internet]. Minnesota: University of Minnesota; 2005 [cited 30 Jan 2016]. Available from: https://www.epi.umn.edu/ let/pubs/adol_book.shtm
30. Grassley JS. Adolescent mothers’ breastfeeding social support needs. JOGN Nurs. 2010; 39(6): 713-722.
31. Dehlendorf C, Marchi K, Vittinghoff E, Braveman P. Sociocultural determinants of teenage childbearing among Latinas in California. Matern Child Health J. 2010; 14(2): 194-201.
32. House JS. Work stress and social support. MA: Addison Wesley; 1981.
33. Negin J, Coffman J, Vizintin P, Raynes-Greenow C. The influence of grandmothers on breastfeeding rates: a systematic review. BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2016; 16: 91.
34. Pentecost R, Grassley JS. Adolescents’ needs for nurses’ support when initiating breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 2014; 30(2): 224-228.
35. Mazza VA., Nunes CT, Tararthuch ZP, Alexandre MC, Patel JV. Influence of social support networks for adolescent breastfeeding mothers in the process of breastfeeding. Cogitare Enferm. 2014; 19(2): 232-238.
36. McLeroy KR, Bibeau D, Steckler A, Glanz K. An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Educ Q. 1988; 15(4): 351-377.
37. Bueno-Gutierrez D, Chantry C. Using the socio-ecological framework to determine breastfeeding obstacles in a low-income population in Tijuana, Mexico: healthcare services. Breastfeed Med. 2015; 10(2): 124-131.
38. Nunes LM, Giugliani ER, Santo LC, de Oliveira LD. Reduction of unnecessary intake of water and herbal teas on breast-fed infants: a randomized clinical trial with adolescent mothers and grandmothers. J Adolesc Health. 2011; 49(3): 258-264.
39. de Oliveira LD, Giugliani ER, Santo LC, Nunes LM. Impact of a strategy to prevent the introduction of non-breast milk and complementary foods during the first 6 months of life: a randomized clinical trial with adolescent mothers and grandmothers. Early Hum Dev. 2012; 88(6): 357-361.
40. Bica OC, Giugliani ER. Influence of counseling sessions on the prevalence of breastfeeding in the first year of life: a randomized clinical trial with adolescent mothers and grandmothers. Birth. 2014; 41(1): 39-45.
Downloads
Published
2018-09-28
How to Cite
1.
Nuampa S, Tilokskulchai F, Sinsuksai N, Patil CL, Phahuwatanakorn W. Breastfeeding Experiences among Thai Adolescent Mothers: A Descriptive Qualitative Study. PRIJNR [Internet]. 2018 Sep. 28 [cited 2024 Nov. 16];22(4):288-303. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PRIJNR/article/view/102314
Issue
Section
Original paper
License
Copyright: The Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, Thailand Nursing & Midwifery Council has exclusive rights to publish, reproduce and distribute the manuscript and all contents therein.
.png)
