title: 'Determined to breastfeed': A case study of exclusive breastfeeding using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Given the significant benefits of breastfeeding, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Despite numerous strategies aimed at increasing the percentage of babies who are exclusively breastfed, Australia currently has one of the lowest six-month exclusive breastfeeding rates in the developed world. Notably, most research focuses on the early postnatal period (birth-two months) yet the largest decline in exclusive breastfeeding rates is observed between two and six months.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to understand what enabled a first-time mother to continue exclusively breastfeeding between two and six months in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The qualitative approach known as interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore how the new mother understood her exclusive breastfeeding journey. Data was collected retrospectively through a face-to-face, semi-structured interview, then transcribed in full and analyzed using IPA's approach to data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main themes were identified as self-determination to achieve exclusive breastfeeding, the influence of social norms in Australian culture, and the impact social supports have on maintaining exclusive breastfeeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For this mother, her self-determination to exclusively breastfeed, along with positive social support, outweighed the impact of perceived social norms and negative pressure from significant others to stop exclusive breastfeeding. This qualitative reflection contributes to an understanding of the individual in the breastfeeding journey, uncovering nuances around exclusive breastfeeding that may be helpful in providing support for mothers and direction for further research.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia. Electronic address: samantha.charlick@mymail.unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Samantha J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Charlick
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fielder
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pincombe
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Lois
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McKellar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Breastfeeding in public; Breastfeeding intentions; Breastfeeding social norms; Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA); Social support