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‘Pregnancy, Boobs, Breastfeeding & Babies’ - An explorative insight into the enabling factors supporting successful breastfeeding among young mothers from low socioeconomic groups in Cheshire
Dunne, Seona
Dunne, Seona
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2015-09
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Abstract
Exclusive breastfeeding to six months of age has been one of the primary aims of
nutrition and public health programs across the world (Shahla, Fahy, & Kable, 2010).
The benefits of breastfeeding particularly in recent times have been quite established
and despite public health initiatives,breastfeeding practice rates in western countries
including the UK do not appear to be significantly improving; with most women not
continuing breastfeeding until six months postpartum (Shahla, Fahy, & Kable, 2010).
Globally, breastfeeding makes an important contribution to meeting the target to
reduce infant mortality (Youens, Chisnell, & Marks-Maran, 2014).
It has been shown that mothers from lower socio-economic groups, who are less
educated, single and younger are less likely to breastfeed (Stewart-Knox, 2013). Low
breastfeeding rates in the UK have led to an increased incidence of illness which in
turn, has a significant cost implication on the health service (Entwistle, 2013).
According to UNICEF, increasing breastfeeding rates in the UK could save the NHS
up to £40 million (Thomas, 2014). The Infant Feeding Survey (IFS) 2010, has shown
initial breastfeeding rates in the North West of England at 76%. This is below the
national average of 83% for England. After 6 months this rate drops to 29%. The
Department of Health in England recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first
six months of life yet by six months, in England, only 34% of babies are breastfed and
only 1% of infants are exclusively breastfed (Health and Social Care Information
Centre, 2012). Many women do want to breastfeed but without the necessary support,
many do not achieve this goal (Thomas, 2012). By understanding what encourages and
supports this 29% breastfeeding group to continue breastfeeding, it can help
breastfeeding leaders, coordinators and support workers to apply these factors to
future campaigns and activities surrounding breastfeeding practices.
Citation
Dunne, S. (2015). ‘Pregnancy, Boobs, Breastfeeding & Babies’ - An explorative insight into the enabling factors supporting successful breastfeeding among young mothers from low socioeconomic groups in Cheshire. (Master's thesis). University of Chester, United Kingdom.
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University of Chester
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Thesis or dissertation
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en