Supporting Older First-Time Mothers with Breastfeeding and Becoming a Mother: Insights for Clinical Practice

• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 L-CERP, 0.1 Midwifery CEU, 1 Dietetic CEU
• Handout: Yes

Abstract:

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.

Learning Objectives: