What is it about?
Many women from socially disadvantaged groups discontinue breastfeeding in the early postnatal period before lactation is fully established. This suggests that existing health service practices do not adequately meet the breastfeeding support needs of this population.
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Why is it important?
Breastfeeding improves outcomes for the mother, infant and society. Breastfeeding reduces the incidence of certain cancers including ovarian and uterine for women. Infants who are breastfed are less likely to experience GI , respiratory and ear infections. There may be protective factors which influence obesity and high blood pressure in later life. Breastfeeding is economically viable and sustainable.
Perspectives
This review was undertaken as part of my doctoral research which involved developing an intervention to support breastfeeding for women and infants who were exposed to substance use during pregnancy. It allowed me a greater understanding of the factors which impact on a woman's choice of how to feed her baby but also when circumstances outwith of her control do not support choice.
Dr Sonya MacVicar
Edinburgh Napier University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Supporting Breastfeeding Establishment among Socially Disadvantaged Women: A Meta-Synthesis, Birth, August 2015, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/birt.12180.
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