| Complex decisions: theorizing women's infant feeding decisions in the first 6 weeks after birth. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20423420 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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AIM: This paper is a report of a grounded theory study of woman's infant feeding experiences and decisions in the first 6 weeks after birth. BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is considered the optimum method of infant feeding. Studies have identified numerous factors associated with infant feeding decisions. What remains unexplored are the mechanisms by which socio-demographic, biomedical and psychosocial factors influence infant feeding decisions. Research highlights the need for further investigation of the experiences and decision-making processes of both breastfeeding and formula-feeding women. METHOD: A constructionist grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis was used. Data for this study were collected and analysed between 2003 and 2004. Further data, collected in a previous study in 2000, were theoretically sampled and analysed in 2005. In-depth interviews with 37 women from various socio-demographic areas in New South Wales, Australia provided data. FINDINGS: The core category was 'deconstructing best'. 'Deconstructing best' was the infant feeding decision-making process in the first 6 weeks after birth. The process of 'deconstructing best' involved seven phases: planning, expecting, realizing, questioning, getting on with it, defending and qualifying. Four main categories -'it's really best to breastfeed', 'it's the unknown', 'it's not the only thing going on', and 'everybody's best is different'- comprised the context within which deconstructing best occurred. CONCLUSION: Woman's infant feeding decisions cannot be viewed in isolation from other post-natal experiences and needs. Infant feeding decisions will only be understood and appropriately supported when they are seen in relation to the circumstances of a woman's life, her immediate sociocultural context and individual experience. |
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Authors:
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Athena Sheehan; Virginia Schmied; Lesley Barclay |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of advanced nursing Volume: 66 ISSN: 1365-2648 ISO Abbreviation: J Adv Nurs Publication Date: 2010 Feb |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-04-28 Completed Date: 2010-08-05 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7609811 Medline TA: J Adv Nurs Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 371-80 Citation Subset: IM; N |
Affiliation:
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Avondale College, Faculty of Nursing and Health, New South Wales, Australia. athena.sheehan@sah.org.au |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Bottle Feeding / psychology* Breast Feeding / psychology* Decision Making* Female Humans Infant Infant, Newborn Middle Aged Models, Psychological Mothers / psychology* Questionnaires Young Adult |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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