Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences of Thai Mothers in Metropolitan Bangkok
Chompoonut Topothai,1,2 Thitikorn Topothai,1,2 Rapeepong Suphanchaimat,1,3 Orratai Waleewong,1 Weerasak Putthasri,4 Walaiporn Patcharanarumol,1 Viroj Tangcharoensathien1 1International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand; 2Department of Health, Ministry of P...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2022-02-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Women's Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/exclusive-breastfeeding-experiences-of-thai-mothers-in-metropolitan-ba-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJWH |
| _version_ | 1819274519504748544 |
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| author | Topothai C Topothai T Suphanchaimat R Waleewong O Putthasri W Patcharanarumol W Tangcharoensathien V |
| author_facet | Topothai C Topothai T Suphanchaimat R Waleewong O Putthasri W Patcharanarumol W Tangcharoensathien V |
| author_sort | Topothai C |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Chompoonut Topothai,1,2 Thitikorn Topothai,1,2 Rapeepong Suphanchaimat,1,3 Orratai Waleewong,1 Weerasak Putthasri,4 Walaiporn Patcharanarumol,1 Viroj Tangcharoensathien1 1International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand; 2Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand; 3Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand; 4National Health Commission Office, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000, ThailandCorrespondence: Chompoonut Topothai, Tel +66 2590-2380, Email chompoonut@ihpp.thaigov.netIntroduction: In 2019, only 14% of mothers in Thailand performed six-month exclusive breastfeeding. This study sought to understand the pathways that mothers in Bangkok Metropolitan took to achieve successful six-month exclusive breastfeeding.Methods: A total of 50 mothers living in Bangkok with children aged 6– 12 months, who achieved and not achieved 6-month exclusive breastfeeding, were recruited for in-depth interviews during February to July 2020. Inductive thematic analysis of participants’ viewpoints was applied for data analysis and interpretation.Results: Four themes that contributed to six-month exclusive breastfeeding were i) maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy; ii) support provided by family members; iii) engagement with and support from healthcare professionals; and iv) employers’ support and workplace environments. Mothers with strong breastfeeding intentions and “perceived capability” to succeed at breastfeeding tended to prioritize breastfeeding and overcome and cope well with unforeseen breastfeeding challenges. Supportive family members, who were convinced of the benefits of breastfeeding, engaged in maternal decision-making, and provided optimal support, contributed to successful exclusive breastfeeding. Health professionals were key in supporting mothers throughout pregnancy until the postpartum period. Lactating-mother-friendly working conditions, flexible working hours and enabling workplace environments, including the provision of breastfeeding breaks and a dedicate space for breast milk expression, were enabling factors for successful exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers.Conclusion: We recommend that all mothers and their family members are fully informed and convinced of the benefit from breastfeeding and trained with practical skill during their visit to antenatal care clinics. These interventions aim to develop mothers’ self-efficacy for breastfeeding and to prepare them to manage common breastfeeding challenges. Health professionals should provide regular follow-up and counseling sessions on breastfeeding practices to mothers and families throughout the lactating period, especially working mothers for breastfeeding continuation after resume to work. Enhanced societal collective actions such as breastfeeding-friendly policy in workplace, including breastfeeding break-time and corner, can create enabling environments for successful exclusive breastfeeding.Keywords: breastfeeding, maternal-self efficacy, qualitative study, urban, Bangkok |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T23:09:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e71073679cd745d1b06a810c92d4c4ee |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-1411 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T23:09:43Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-e71073679cd745d1b06a810c92d4c4ee2022-12-21T17:26:41ZengDove Medical PressInternational Journal of Women's Health1179-14112022-02-01Volume 1415516672815Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences of Thai Mothers in Metropolitan BangkokTopothai CTopothai TSuphanchaimat RWaleewong OPutthasri WPatcharanarumol WTangcharoensathien VChompoonut Topothai,1,2 Thitikorn Topothai,1,2 Rapeepong Suphanchaimat,1,3 Orratai Waleewong,1 Weerasak Putthasri,4 Walaiporn Patcharanarumol,1 Viroj Tangcharoensathien1 1International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand; 2Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand; 3Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand; 4National Health Commission Office, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000, ThailandCorrespondence: Chompoonut Topothai, Tel +66 2590-2380, Email chompoonut@ihpp.thaigov.netIntroduction: In 2019, only 14% of mothers in Thailand performed six-month exclusive breastfeeding. This study sought to understand the pathways that mothers in Bangkok Metropolitan took to achieve successful six-month exclusive breastfeeding.Methods: A total of 50 mothers living in Bangkok with children aged 6– 12 months, who achieved and not achieved 6-month exclusive breastfeeding, were recruited for in-depth interviews during February to July 2020. Inductive thematic analysis of participants’ viewpoints was applied for data analysis and interpretation.Results: Four themes that contributed to six-month exclusive breastfeeding were i) maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy; ii) support provided by family members; iii) engagement with and support from healthcare professionals; and iv) employers’ support and workplace environments. Mothers with strong breastfeeding intentions and “perceived capability” to succeed at breastfeeding tended to prioritize breastfeeding and overcome and cope well with unforeseen breastfeeding challenges. Supportive family members, who were convinced of the benefits of breastfeeding, engaged in maternal decision-making, and provided optimal support, contributed to successful exclusive breastfeeding. Health professionals were key in supporting mothers throughout pregnancy until the postpartum period. Lactating-mother-friendly working conditions, flexible working hours and enabling workplace environments, including the provision of breastfeeding breaks and a dedicate space for breast milk expression, were enabling factors for successful exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers.Conclusion: We recommend that all mothers and their family members are fully informed and convinced of the benefit from breastfeeding and trained with practical skill during their visit to antenatal care clinics. These interventions aim to develop mothers’ self-efficacy for breastfeeding and to prepare them to manage common breastfeeding challenges. Health professionals should provide regular follow-up and counseling sessions on breastfeeding practices to mothers and families throughout the lactating period, especially working mothers for breastfeeding continuation after resume to work. Enhanced societal collective actions such as breastfeeding-friendly policy in workplace, including breastfeeding break-time and corner, can create enabling environments for successful exclusive breastfeeding.Keywords: breastfeeding, maternal-self efficacy, qualitative study, urban, Bangkokhttps://www.dovepress.com/exclusive-breastfeeding-experiences-of-thai-mothers-in-metropolitan-ba-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJWHbreastfeedingmaternal-self efficacyqualitative studyurbanbangkok |
| spellingShingle | Topothai C Topothai T Suphanchaimat R Waleewong O Putthasri W Patcharanarumol W Tangcharoensathien V Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences of Thai Mothers in Metropolitan Bangkok International Journal of Women's Health breastfeeding maternal-self efficacy qualitative study urban bangkok |
| title | Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences of Thai Mothers in Metropolitan Bangkok |
| title_full | Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences of Thai Mothers in Metropolitan Bangkok |
| title_fullStr | Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences of Thai Mothers in Metropolitan Bangkok |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences of Thai Mothers in Metropolitan Bangkok |
| title_short | Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences of Thai Mothers in Metropolitan Bangkok |
| title_sort | exclusive breastfeeding experiences of thai mothers in metropolitan bangkok |
| topic | breastfeeding maternal-self efficacy qualitative study urban bangkok |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/exclusive-breastfeeding-experiences-of-thai-mothers-in-metropolitan-ba-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJWH |
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