Breast functions perceived by Korean mothers: infant nutrition and female sexuality.
The descriptive cross-sectional study of 2,235 Korean postpartum women was conducted to explore (a) feeding types with related factors, (b) the perceived benefits of each feeding type, (c) the perceived sexuality-related barriers to breast-feeding, and (d) the perceived relative significance of breast functions. The most frequently utilized feeding type was breast-feeding only. The gender of infants, vaginal delivery, not being employed, having a nuclear family, previous breast-feeding experience, and previously receiving breast-feeding education were statistically significant factors of breast-feeding. Breast-feeding and mixed feeding mothers indicated that their feeding choices were based on nutritional benefits, convenience, and improving family relationships. Only breast-feeding mothers reported changes in breast shape as a perceived sexuality-related barrier to breast-feeding. All mothers reported that infant feeding was a more significant concern than female sexual functioning, but post hoc Schéffe revealed that the breast-feeding mothers appreciated infant feeding function more than female sexual functioning.
Ahn
Youngmee
Y
Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea.
Sohn
Min
M
Yoo
Eunkwang
E
D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000502:physiology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D056910:Republic of Korea; D019529:Sexuality