Table 4 Preliminary results of experiences of health care professionals before and after breastfeeding
From: Parenting Science Gang: radical co-creation of research projects led by parents of young children
Before breastfeeding experience | After breastfeeding experience |
|---|---|
● Little formal training on breastfeeding ● Lack of knowledge of breastfeeding norms ● Familiar with myths on when to wean e.g. when the child gets teeth, or can talk, or is just “too old” ● Feelings of discomfort around breastfeeding mothers | ● Positive experiences of breastfeeding to sleep conflicted with some mainstream baby sleep advice ● Keeping mothering practices (e.g. natural term breastfeeding) secret from colleagues for fear of disapproval: ● HCPs’ work environment not breastfeeding friendly for mothers who return to work while breastfeeding ● Important informal knowledge gained from own experience, support groups, online communities and observing other mothers ● Participants became ‘breastfeeding champions’ ○ Participants used as informal breastfeeding experts by colleagues ○ Used knowledge of normal breastfeeding and sleep behaviour to support mothers ○ Able to recognise and confidently challenge breastfeeding unfriendly practice |