Passive resistance: early experiences of midwifery students/graduates and the Baby Friendly Health Initiative 10 steps to successful breastfeeding.
PASSIVE RESISTANCE: Early experiences of midwifery students/graduates and the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) 10 steps to successful breastfeeding.


OBJECTIVE
What factors, in relation to the BFHI 10 steps to successful breastfeeding, influence the development of breastfeeding support practice for beginning practitioner midwives?


METHODS
Newly graduated midwives about to commence a Graduate Midwifery Program (GMP) were recruited from two South Australian universities and one Western Australian hospital to participate in the study.


METHODS
This qualitative longitudinal study used critical incident technique for a series of three semi-structured interviews with each participant. The theoretical framework of the project was Bandura's Social Learning Theory with Boyatzis' Data driven approach used to thematically analyze the data.


RESULTS
Participants highlighted experiences such as time pressure and the established clinical practices of experienced midwives that undermined their commitment to the BFHI 10 steps. Outdated practices by senior midwives and passive resistance to the BFHI 10 steps were commonplace even in participating hospitals which are BFHI accredited.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical working environment has a major impact on the way newly graduated midwives integrate the BFHI 10 steps into their breastfeeding support practice. Commitment to the BFHI 10 steps should not be taken for granted just because a hospital achieves BFHI accreditation. Many experienced midwives are continuing with outdated practices that confuse breastfeeding mothers and newly graduated midwives alike.
Reddin
Edith
E
School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, City East Campus, North Tce., Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia. edith.reddin@postgrads.unisa.edu.au
Pincombe
Jan
J
Darbyshire
Philip
P
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012944:Social Support; D013338:Students, Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014904:Western Australia