GOLD Learning Speakers

To explore the breastfeeding experiences of young at-risk breastfeeding mothers who either were or had resided in a local maternity shelter. Goals: To increase awareness of issues unique to this population, and develop clinical interventions when providing breastfeeding supports. Data Collection and Analysis: Interpretive description design, using semi-structured interviews, and inductive content analysis. Participants: Nine mothers aged 17 to 24, who had initiated any breastfeeding, and were residing or had resided at a maternity shelter. Findings: Nurses had a critical role in the establishment of early breastfeeding by providing a combination of practical hands-on and emotional support. Ongoing, accessible, and non-judgemental peer, family, and community resources were important to breastfeeding duration. These young mothers took ownership of their choice to breastfeed and found empowerment in this choice and practice. Conclusion: Young at-risk mothers need an ongoing combination of emotional and practical supports from multiple trusted sources, including professional and peer. Nurses need to focus the practical aspects of breastfeeding while establishing strong therapeutic relationships.

Mothers 35 year of age or older are the fastest growing demographic of new mothers in many developed countries, & a steadily emerging global trend. The quality of a mother's breastfeeding experience has the potential to affect breastfeeding duration and factors that promote healthy maternal-infant attachment, infant growth and development, and maternal mental health. There is a lack of understanding of how older first-time mothers make decisions about breastfeeding and mothering. Learn more about new research that looked to answer the research question ‘What factors affect how first-time mothers >35 years of age make decisions about breastfeeding and the motherhood in the first six months postpartum?’ The findings provide a framework to work in partnership with older first-time mothers to enhance positive breastfeeding experiences, adaptation to motherhood and positive mental health outcomes through strategies that promote resiliency and shared decision-making around early postpartum care, and breastfeeding/infant feeding supports. Key components include helping mothers identify what satisfaction with breastfeeding is for them, encouraging increased levels of knowledge, control, trust and ownership, supporting them in redefining their core self, and providing realistic, evidence-based information.