Breastfeeding Experiences of Mothers with Babies Admitted to the University Teaching Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Lusaka, Zambia

Authors

  • Samantha Munang'andu University of Zambia
  • Margret Maimbolwa University of Zambia
  • Sebean Mayimbo University of Zambia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47941/ijhmnp.1326

Keywords:

Breastfeeding, Experiences, Small and Sick babies, Breastfeeding Support, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Purpose: The main objective was to explore the breastfeeding experiences of mothers with babies admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Women and Newborn Hospital (WNBH), Lusaka, Zambia.

Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological transcendental (descriptive) design using unstructured in-depth interviews with mothers of babies admitted to the NICU at UTH Women and Newborn, Lusaka, Zambia was used to explore the experiences. All the interviews were recorded and then transcribed thereafter analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings: Findings revealed that breastfeeding in NICU was breastfeeding in a restricted environment as mothers had inadequate time for breastfeeding and bonding. Mothers perceived the NICU to be a painful and scary place. The breastfeeding support was perceived as good breastfeeding support while some mothers perceived the support as inadequate or no breastfeeding support. Nevertheless, mothers had alternative support options while breastfeeding in a restricted environment and the options included praying to God Almighty, strengthening oneself and peer support.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study concluded that separation of mothers from their babies was a source of pain and NICU was not a conducive environment for breastfeeding. Mothers need more time with their babies so as to promote breastfeeding and bonding.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Samantha Munang'andu, University of Zambia

Master of Science in Neonatal Nursing: School of Nursing Sciences

Margret Maimbolwa, University of Zambia

Lecturer, School of Nursing Sciences

Sebean Mayimbo, University of Zambia

Lecturer, School of Nursing Sciences

References

Diji, A.K.A., Bam, V., Asante, E. et al (2017) Challenges and Predictors Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Mothers Attending The Child Welfare Clinic At A Regional Hospital In Ghana: International Breastfeeding Journal, 12(13).

Endalkachew, W.M, Desalegne, A., Likawunt, S.A, Mulugeta,T.M.B. Debela and Fentie, A.G. (2022) Parental Experiences In Neonatal Intensive Care Unit In Ethiopia: A Phenomenological Study, Annals of Medicine, 54:1, 121-131, DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2021.2004320

Englander, M. (2012) The interview: data collection in descriptive phenomenological human scientific research. Journal of Phenomenology and Psychology, 43(1):13-35.

Hilditch, C., Howes, A., Dempster, N. and Keir, A. (2019) What evidence-based strategies have been shown to improve breastfeeding rates in preterm infants? Journal of paediatrics and child health, 55(8):907-14. doi: 10.1111/jpc.14551

Ikonen, R., Paavilainen, E., & Kaunonen, M. (2015) Preterm Infants' Mothers' Experiences with Milk Expression and Breastfeeding: An Integrative Review. Advances in neonatal care: Official Journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, 15(6), 394-406

Kinshella, ML. W., Prasad, S., Hiwa, T. et al. (2021) Barriers and Facilitators for early and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Health Facilities In Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. Global health research policy 6, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-021-00206-2

Maternal and Child Survival Program (2019) Comprehensive Breastfeeding Support and Feeding of Small and Sick Newborns in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Programmatic Considerations Technical Summary Brief. USAID.

Moerer-Urdahl, T and Creswell, W.J. (2004) Using Transcendental Phenomenology to explore the Ripple Effect in a leadership mentoring program. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 3(2).

Neubauer, B.E., Witkop, C.T. & Varpio, L. (2019) How phenomenology can help us learn from the experiences of others. Perspect Med Educ 8, 90-97 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-019-0509-

Niela-Viln, H., Axelin, A., Melender, H., and Salanterä, S. (2015) Aiming to be a breastfeeding mother in a neonatal intensive care unit and at home: a thematic analysis of peer-support group discussion in social media. Maternal and Child Nutrition. Turku. 12:08.

Pinar G, Erbaba H (2020) Experiences of New Mothers with Premature Babies in Neonatal Care Units: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Nursing Practice. 3(1):179-185

Poggenpoel, E.S.M and Myburgh, C. (2017) Lived experiences of parents of premature babies in the intensive care unit in a private hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Shattnawi K. K. (2017). Healthcare Professionals' Attitudes and Practices in Supporting and Promoting the Breastfeeding of Preterm Infants in NICUs. Advances in neonatal care: Official Journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. 17(5), 390-399. https://doi.org/10.1097/ANC.0000000000000421

Smith E.R, Hurt, L., Chowdhury, R., Sinha, B., Fawzi, W., Edmond, K.M, et al (2017) Delayed breastfeeding initiation and infant survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 12(7):journal.pone.0180722.

Tadal, K., Shimpuku, Y., Sunguya, B and Horiuchi, S. (2020) Evaluation of breastfeeding care and education given to mothers with low birth weight babies by healthcare workers at a hospital in urban Tanzania: International Breastfeeding Journal.15:36 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00280

UNICEF, (2018) UNICEF data: monitoring the situation of children and women: infant and young child feeding. http://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/infant-and-young-childfeeding

USAID Zambia (2019) Advancing Newborn Healthcare Systems; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 30 Percent Design Report.

WHO and UNICEF, (2018) Implementation Guidance: Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding in Facilities Providing Maternity and Newborn Services - the revised Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative. Geneva. https://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/infantfeeding/bfhi-implementation-2018.pdf

Wight, N.E. (2015) Breastfeeding the NICU Infant: What to Expect. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 58(4) 840-854

Yang, Y., Brandon, D., Lu, H., and Cong, X. (2019). Breastfeeding Experiences and Perspectives on Support Among Chinese Mothers Separated From their Hospitalized Preterm Infants: A Qualitative Study. International Breastfeeding Journal, 14, 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-019-0242-9

Zambia Statistics Agency and MOH (2018) Zambia Demographic Health Survey Summary Report. Lusaka.

Downloads

Published

2023-06-29

How to Cite

Munang'andu, S. ., Maimbolwa, M. ., & Mayimbo, S. (2023). Breastfeeding Experiences of Mothers with Babies Admitted to the University Teaching Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Lusaka, Zambia. International Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing Practice, 5(2), 50–62. https://doi.org/10.47941/ijhmnp.1326

Issue

Section

Articles