Mothers of children with down syndrome: A qualitative study of experiences of breastfeeding and breastfeeding support

Abstract

Background: Children with down syndrome (DS) are breastfed to a lesser extent than infants in general, despite research showing that it is possible for these children to breastfeed successfully.

Aim: The aim was to describe how mothers of children with DS experienced breastfeeding and breastfeeding support from healthcare professionals.

Method: A qualitative study with an inductive approach. Individual interviews were performed with seven mothers from southern Sweden. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Result: The mothers felt that the support varied, as some healthcare professionals were supportive, while others had preconceptions regarding breastfeeding and DS. They also experienced that the guidelines could be an obstacle in the encounter with healthcare professionals thereby affecting the possibility to establish breastfeeding. Information and support were important to the mothers, and when insufficient, they turned to the internet for help.

Conclusions: Mothers felt that healthcare professionals were bound to ward routines and guidelines, which could be contrary to their own and the family's wishes. They were also sensitive to the attitudes of healthcare professionals, which can affect their own state of mind. Healthcare professionals' preconceptions regarding breastfeeding and DS have not changed, despite research showing that infants with DS can breastfeed successfully. Increased awareness of the possibility to breastfeed an infant with DS is needed to provide better support to mothers.

Keywords: breastfeeding; breastfeeding support; down syndrome; experiences; mothers.