The breast-feeding conversation: a philosophic exploration of support.
Nurses play a vital role in mothers' early experiences with breast-feeding. Literature enumerates both supportive and nonsupportive behaviors, as well as the "interpersonal" aspect of breast-feeding support, although little direction is given to nurses about how to facilitate the relationship. This article conceptualizes breast-feeding support within Gadamerian hermeneutics as a conversation among nurses, mothers, and their newborns. Hermeneutically, breast-feeding conversation encompasses a text (a particular feeding at the breast), conversational partners (a mother, her newborn, and a nurse), and a dialogue that facilitates effective breast-feeding and maternal breast-feeding confidence through interpretation or understanding of the text. History and language are essential as a partnership is formed.
Grassley
Jane S
JS
College of Nursing, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX 76204, USA. jgrassley@mail.twu.edu
Nelms
Tommie P
TP
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016294:Models, Nursing; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011287:Prejudice; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012660:Semantics; D012944:Social Support