%0 Journal Article
%T Previous breastfeeding difficulties: an existential breastfeeding trauma with two intertwined pathways for future breastfeeding¡ªfear and longing
%A Lina Palm¨¦r
%J International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2019.1588034
%X ABSTRACT Purpose: Experiencing breastfeeding difficulties poses a risk for early cessation of breastfeeding and decreases the likelihood of breastfeeding a future child. To further understand breastfeeding outcomes, the aim of this study is to explain the phenomenon of breastfeeding difficulties in order to understand how women¡¯s previous experiences of breastfeeding difficulties relate to their decisions about future breastfeeding. Methods: A reflective lifeworld hermeneutical approach was adopted. The study consisted of 15 lifeworld interviews with eight women who had previously experienced difficulties with initial breastfeeding. Results: Previously experienced breastfeeding difficulties represent an existential breastfeeding trauma in an individual woman¡¯s life, from which there are two intertwined pathways for future breastfeeding: a fear of breastfeeding, which renders the idea of future breastfeeding unthinkable, and a longing for breastfeeding, which increases the likelihood of future breastfeeding. Fear and longing are intertwined in ambiguous ways in an individual woman¡¯s life. Conclusion: Women with previous breastfeeding difficulties may bring negative breastfeeding experiences with them, which are etched into the woman¡¯s being as a mother as an embodied memory. A lifeworld-led caring science perspective as a foundation for care can contribute to the development of caring practices, which grasp the existential nature of the breastfeeding trauma
%U https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17482631.2019.1588034