title: Mothering with an Intellectual Disability: A Phenomenological Exploration of Making Infant-Feeding Decisions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mothers with intellectual disability are less likely than mothers without intellectual disability to breastfeed their infants, but there is little literature that addresses infant-feeding decisions among this population. This study explores experiences of mothers with intellectual disability in making and carrying out infant-feeding decisions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with four mothers with intellectual disability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis focused on making and carrying out infant-feeding decisions. Three sub-themes of making infant-feeding decisions emerged: being familiar with benefits of breastfeeding, owning the initial decision and preparing for infant-feeding. Two sub-themes of carrying out infant-feeding decisions transpired: facing challenges and receiving support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prenatal period was a crucial time for the mothers regarding infant-feeding decisions. It is the time in which they felt the most decision-making power, yet opportunities to prepare for possible challenges were missed.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.|Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux de l'Ouest-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Lachine, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guay
authors.affiliation: Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux de l'Ouest-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Lachine, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aunos
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collin-Vézina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: breastfeeding; infant-feeding; intellectual disability; mothering; phenomenology