Volume : IV, Issue : I, January - 2014

Mothers' Experiences of Breastfeeding Premature Infants after Discharge from NICU; A Qualitative Study

Sousan Valizadeh, Susan Penjvini

Abstract :

Background: One of the most challenging issues that mothers with premature infants face is the importance of eastfeeding and the ability to initiate and maintain it at the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and after discharge. Breastfeeding a premature infant requires certain skills that differ from a term neonate. Most mother with premature infants experience a new crisis after discharge and despite the confidence they had before discharge, they might not really know how to feed their infants. The aim of this qualitative study is to understand how a mother interprets her premature infant\'s behavior and understand the importance of such behavior through experience.

Methods: We enrolled 14 women whose infants were admitted to NICUs of hospitals affiliated to Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences after obtaining their written informed consent. Data were collected mainly through semi-structured in-depth interviews. In this study, initial coding was done using the words of the participants and connotative codes (the researcher’s interpretation of the mothers’ speech). Meaningful units were extracted from the participants’ speech in the form f initial codes. Then the researcher contemplated deeply on the data to find new insight. Therefore, the codes were reviewed several times and similar codes were put into the same category.

Results:Base d on findings yielded, themes emerged from experiences of mothers. The meaning of preterm infant east feeding after discharge from NICU, was Mothers’ worry about eastfeeding at home, interpreting the neonates feeding behavior and Adapting with the current situation.

Conclusion: This study provided insight into the effective factors on the mothers\' experience of eastfeeding their premature infants and their coping strategies. Therefore, qualitative and quantitative interventions on training and following such mothers after discharge is of utmost important for the family integrity.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Sousan Valizadeh, Susan Penjvini Mothers' Experiences of Breastfeeding Premature Infants after Discharge from NICU; A Qualitative Study Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.IV, Issue. I

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