CHOICE OF INFANT FEEDING METHOD FOR EIGHT FIRST TIME MOTHERS (BREASTFEEDING, BOTTLE FEEDING, MOTHERS).
Contributors: Adelphi University.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 273
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Choice of infant feeding method is a poorly understood phenomenon. In all societies women are the infant feeders; this occurs regardless of the method of infant feeding. How women decide on an infant feeding method is not known. Decision making is complex, incompletely understood, and frequently unconscious. A qualitative study using the methods of grounded theory was undertaken to assist in understanding how women make an infant feeding decision.

Eight women were interviewed; 14 themes were identified through the analysis of interview transcripts, field notes, researcher memos, and related literature. These themes were distilled into six conceptual categories: Benefits to the Infant, Mother's Decision, Procedural Issues, Body Circumstances Related to Infant Feeding, Relationship Factors, and Need for Expertise. The categories were used as the basis for a conceptualization of the decision making process in infant feeding.

With the women in the present study, the notion of benefits to the infant was essential to understanding of infant feeding choice. The decision was always made by the mother. Combination feeding (breastfeeding combined with bottle feeding) was used by many mothers and was seen as an assistance to mothers who were working or had other obligations which precluded exclusive breastfeeding. The need for health care workers to understand and support this need is discussed.

A conceptualization of the decision making process in infant feeding which incorporates elements of rational decision making contextually embedded is offered as a depiction of the complex process. The conceptualization provides a nonlinear feedback representation of the process of choice in infant feeding. Knowledge of the process of choice enables the nurse to interact with the mother in a nonjudgmental and supportive way to assist with the decision making process.

Implications for nursing practice and curricula were articulated, further exploration of the process of decision making is suggested as is application of the Conceptualization of the Decision Making Process in Infant Feeding to other situations.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-12, Section: B, page: 6223.

Thesis (PH.D.)--ADELPHI UNIVERSITY, 1993.

School code: 0001.