How formula feeding mothers balance risks and define themselves as ‘good mothers’

Abstract

Breast feeding provides protection from many diseases and reduces health risks for both mother and child; however, a significant percentage of mothers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada choose to formula feed their infants from birth. In order to understand this phenomenon, qualitative research in the form of focus groups was conducted in three communities in the province in 2010. The data elicited from the research question ‘Why did you choose to formula feed your baby?’ were analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis. A major theme that arose was how these women define themselves as ‘good mothers’ in an environment where breast feeding is considered the optimal nutritional choice. It is about balancing the risks of formula feeding their infants with the needs of the family and themselves.

Keywords:

• breastfeeding
• mothers
• infants
• families
• risk
• public health
• focus groups
• qualitative research

Acknowledgements

We thank the women who shared their infant feeding experiences, and the administrators and staff of the Brighter Futures Coalition Healthy Baby Clubs who facilitated this research. We also thank Lorraine Burrage and Phil Murphy, who are with the NLPPP, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador and members of the Breastfeeding Research Working Group, for their expertise regarding perinatal dynamics and statistical information. As well, we thank Drs. Maeve Howett and Julia Temple Newhook for permission to use their doctoral dissertations in our article, and Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information, Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research and Breast Feeding Coalition of Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador for their financial support of this research.