title: Experience of non-breastfeeding mothers: Norms and ethically responsible risk communication.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breastfeeding is currently strongly recommended by midwives and paediatricians, and the recommendations are based on documents provided by the World Health Organization and public health authorities worldwide.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The underlying question is, how are non-breastfeeding mothers affected emotionally when informed that breastfeeding is the safest and healthiest option?
  
  
  METHODS
  The method used is an anonymous web-based qualitative survey exploring the narratives of non-breastfeeding mothers, published on Thesistools.com. The aim is to achieve qualitative knowledge about the emotions of non-breastfeeding mothers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were based in Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and were selected through a purposeful sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  The online survey anonymizes responses automatically, and all respondents had to tick a box agreeing to be quoted anonymously in scientific articles. The study conforms to research ethics guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents describe how they were affected, and the following themes emerged in studying their descriptions: depression, anxiety and pain, feeling failed as a mother and woman, loss of freedom/feeling trapped, relief and guilt.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The themes are discussed against the background of the ethics of care and a theory of ethically responsible risk communication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three conclusions are made. First, the message should become more empathetic. Second, information should be given in an attentive dialogue. Third, information providers should evaluate effects in a more inclusive way.
authors.affiliation: Uppsala University, Sweden; Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands jessica.nihlen-fahlquist@crb.uu.se.
authors.forename: Jessica Nihlén
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Fahlquist
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009426:Netherlands; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012306:Risk; D066262:Social Norms; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Bonding; breastfeeding; non-breastfeeding mothers; postnatal depression; public health ethics; risk communication; the ethics of care