The little things: perceptions of breastfeeding support.
OBJECTIVE
To describe how maternal-child staff nurses support breastfeeding mothers during the postpartum hospital stay and how these mothers perceive the support received from the nurses.


METHODS
Ethnographic.


METHODS
Data were collected at a community hospital in southeastern Florida.


METHODS
Unstructured interviews were conducted with seven maternal-child nurses caring for breastfeeding mothers. The investigator observed 12 nurses' interactions with breastfeeding mothers and newborns. Eight breastfeeding mothers were interviewed, using a semistructured guide, in the hospital before discharge and at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum.


RESULTS
Nurses supported breastfeeding mothers by providing information and interpersonal support. Breastfeeding mothers expected the nurses to support their feeding efforts by providing information, encouragement, and interpersonal support.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care providers can help breastfeeding mothers, but the support offered must be the kind that mothers want.
Gill
S L
SL
University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Nursing, San Antonio 78229-7951, USA. gills@uthscsa.edu
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires