title: 'I thought it would keep them all quiet'. Women's experiences of breastfeeding as illusions of compliance: an interpretive phenomenological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences of breastfeeding women.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is a plethora of data demonstrating that human breast milk provides complete nutrition for human infants. While the rate of initiation of breastfeeding in the United Kingdom has shown a steady increase in the last 25 years, rates of exclusive breastfeeding in the early weeks and months over the same time period have shown only marginal increases. This study was designed to extend current knowledge around breastfeeding experiences, decisions and behaviours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative, interpretive phenomenological approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected between July 2009-January 2010 through in-depth interviews with 22 women from a city in the East Midlands where the prevalence of breastfeeding has showed a decreasing trend. Data were collected between 3-6 months after the birth of their youngest baby.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of data uncovered a key theme: illusions of compliance. The findings revealed that women's breastfeeding behaviours were socially mediated. They adopted a good mother image by conforming to the moral obligation to breastfeed immediately after their babies were born. Those women who struggled to establish breastfeeding tried to hide their difficulties rather than admit that they were not coping.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides insights into women's infant feeding decisions and behaviours, building on understandings of 'good mothering' in the wider literature. Importantly we highlight some of the previously unknown strategies that women employed to portray themselves as calm, coping and in control when in reality they were struggling and not enjoying breastfeeding.
authors.affiliation: Division of Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, The University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Rachael L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Greatrex-White
authors.forename: Diane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Fraser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: breastfeeding; experiences; infant feeding; interviews; midwives/healthcare professionals; qualitative approaches