'You have to be guided by yourself, your feelings and your child': Exploring women's experiences of weaning after breastfeeding beyond infancy.
Journal article
| Authors | Shiells, K, Williams, S., Hallam, J. and Jackson, J. |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Background: Mothers who breastfeed beyond infancy report a need for specialised support and it is important to understand mothers’ experiences across the continuum of the breastfeeding journey, including weaning. Research aim: This study explored women’s experiences of weaning after breastfeeding for >1 year. Method: Four mothers who had weaned after breastfeeding for more than one year took part in a semi-structured telephone interview which invited them to share their breastfeeding journey, focusing on their experiences of weaning. Results: Interpretive phenomenological analysis identified three themes – challenges associated with weaning; what worked well; the need for information and support. Conclusion: Mothers experienced confusion about how to wean and how to deal with the emotional affects they encountered. The women emphasised the importance of a gradual weaning approach and trusting maternal instincts. The importance of readily available, ongoing advice and access to judgement-free peer support was also described. |
| Keywords | breastfeeding beyond infancy; qualitative research; support; weaning |
| Year | 2024 |
| Journal | Journal of Health Visiting |
| Journal citation | 12 (1) |
| Publisher | MAG Online Library |
| ISSN | 2052-2908 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2024.12.1.30 |
| Web address (URL) | https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/johv.2024.12.1.30 |
| Accepted author manuscript | License All rights reserved File Access Level Open |
| Output status | Published |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 16 Feb 2024 |
| Publication process dates | |
| Deposited | 21 Aug 2025 |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/q5wzz/-you-have-to-be-guided-by-yourself-your-feelings-and-your-child-exploring-women-s-experiences-of-weaning-after-breastfeeding-beyond-infancy
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Accepted author manuscript
| Manuscript_Weaningpastinfancy (1).pdf | ||
| License: All rights reserved | ||
| File access level: Open | ||
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