title: Maternal perceptions of successful breastfeeding.
abstract: Twenty-six mothers were interviewed concerning successful and unsuccessful breastfeeding. Constant comparative analysis yielded five major categories of successful breastfeeding: infant health, infant satisfaction, maternal enjoyment, desired maternal role attainment, and lifestyle compatibility. A core concept, working in harmony, emerged as a unifying theme. Mothers described successful breastfeeding as a complex interactive process resulting in mutual satisfaction of maternal and infant needs. This concept broadens definitions of successful breastfeeding often used by health professionals, which emphasize breastfeeding duration and nutritional aspects.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Leff
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gagne
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Jefferis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires