When baby%26apos;s chronic illness and disability interfere with breastfeeding: Women%26apos;s emotional adjustment

作者：Ryan Kath^*; Smith Lorraine; Alexander Jo

来源：Midwifery, 2013, 29(7): 794-800.

DOI：10.1016/j.midw.2012.07.011

• Breastfeeding
• Emotional adjustment
• Chronic illness
• Disability

Objectives: to explore the emotional adjustments that women make when their baby%26apos;s chronic illness or disability threatens breastfeeding. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: qualitative descriptive study and exploratory secondary analysis of narratives from five breastfeeding women in the UK whose babies experienced a chronic condition. %26lt;br%26gt;Findings: three key themes were discerned: (1) %26apos;Overwhelmed%26apos;-feelings of shock and helplessness. Engagement in the practical issues of breastfeeding, relying on others and receiving emotional support from them helped. (2) %26apos;Under acknowledged%26apos;-women spoke of not being listened to or taken seriously. Focus on the medical condition de-valued the contribution of breastfeeding. (3) %26apos;Striving for normality%26apos;-reframing the situation and readjusting goals and expectations helped adjustment to a %26apos;normal%26apos; life. %26lt;br%26gt;Discussion: varying levels of emotional adjustment were experienced by the women, and a process or path reflected their efforts to cope. Adjustments are discussed in terms of practical issues of coping and biographical disruption, thereby raising awareness of challenging aspects. Breastfeeding provided a sense of control and purpose. Understanding issues around breastfeeding an ill or disabled child can help health-care providers offer more appropriate care to women who wish to breast feed in spite of chronic illness.

• 出版日期2013-7