Perceptions of adolescent mothers towards breastfeeding during the antenatal period.

Abstract

While a number of studies have been undertaken in regard to infant feeding practices in Malta, as to date no studies have been undertaken that specifically explore these in relation to adolescent mothers. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of pregnant adolescents towards breastfeeding during the antenatal period, to identify those factors which influence the adolescent mothers' choice of whether or not to breastfeed as well as to determine when such choices are formulated. A small scale study was carried out during which thirteen mothers were recruited via convenience sampling through their attendance to antenatal classes at Unit Ghozza , a unit which deals specifically with adolescent mothers, and asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire during one of their classes. A 60% response rate was obtained. The collected data was then analysed through quantitative and content analysis. Social support appeared to play an important role in this study, whereas exposure to bottle and breastfeeding role models was not shown to be influential on the infant feeding choice. Those who had themselves been breastfed as infants stated that they in turn wished to breastfeed their babies; suggesting that the mothers history has a strong influence on her future infant feeding choices. Many participants were knowledgeable about the benefits of breastfeeding; however embarrassment and modesty were the issues most often cited as barriers to breastfeeding. Midwives and childbirth educators were identified as a preferred source of breastfeeding information; emphasising the importance of the role of the midwife in breastfeeding education and promotion. It was interesting to note that 53.8% of the participants chose to breastfeed their infants; of these, 71.4% made their decision early on in pregnancy; supporting the idea that those who choose to breastfeed make their choice early on in pregnancy. Most of the adolescents agreed that mothers should breastfeed even in public, although they also suggested that they would not feel comfortable doing so themselves. Given the important role of the midwife as an educator one of the main recommendations which arose from the study was the formulation of educational programmes and talks by midwives aimed towards young people in primary and secondary schools. Due to the small sample size, it was also recommended that the study be carried out on a larger scale, in order to make the findings more generalisable.