Exploring online breastfeeding support groups, part 1 of 2: Finding a community of like-minded people helps a mother to reach her breastfeeding goals

Alex Hassett; Amanda J Wagg; Margie Callanan

doi:10.1891/cl.12.4

Exploring online breastfeeding support groups, part 1 of 2: Finding a community of like-minded people helps a mother to reach her breastfeeding goals

Alex Hassett
, Amanda J Wagg
, Margie Callanan

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Facebook support groups are becoming frequently used by mothers to support them with breastfeeding.

Aim: To explore how breastfeeding mothers make sense of and interpret their experiences of online social support groups, and the perceived impact of group use.
Method: Interpretative Phenomenological
Analysis.

Results: This article reports on the first, of four, superordinate themes identified. Online breastfeeding support groups can support an internal vision of what breastfeeding is like and help the mother to regain control when faced with challenges.

Conclusion: When breastfeeding challenges arise, women are forced to re-evaluate their situation. The groups not only provide information but help a mother regain control and achieve her breastfeeding goals. How exactly this might occur, and the impact variables will be considered in further themes.

Original language	English
Journal	Clinical Lactation
Volume	12
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1891/cl.12.4
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2021

Keywords

Breastfeeding support
Lactation
Online support
Peer support

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Cite this

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title = "Exploring online breastfeeding support groups, part 1 of 2: Finding a community of like-minded people helps a mother to reach her breastfeeding goals",

abstract = "Background: Facebook support groups are becoming frequently used by mothers to support them with breastfeeding. Aim: To explore how breastfeeding mothers make sense of and interpret their experiences of online social support groups, and the perceived impact of group use. Method: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: This article reports on the first, of four, superordinate themes identified. Online breastfeeding support groups can support an internal vision of what breastfeeding is like and help the mother to regain control when faced with challenges. Conclusion: When breastfeeding challenges arise, women are forced to re-evaluate their situation. The groups not only provide information but help a mother regain control and achieve her breastfeeding goals. How exactly this might occur, and the impact variables will be considered in further themes. ",

keywords = "Breastfeeding support, Lactation, Online support, Peer support",

author = "Alex Hassett and Wagg, \{Amanda J\} and Margie Callanan",

year = "2021",

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doi = "10.1891/cl.12.4",

language = "English",

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journal = "Clinical Lactation",

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AU - Hassett, Alex

AU - Wagg, Amanda J

AU - Callanan, Margie

PY - 2021/11/1

Y1 - 2021/11/1

N2 - Background: Facebook support groups are becoming frequently used by mothers to support them with breastfeeding. Aim: To explore how breastfeeding mothers make sense of and interpret their experiences of online social support groups, and the perceived impact of group use. Method: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: This article reports on the first, of four, superordinate themes identified. Online breastfeeding support groups can support an internal vision of what breastfeeding is like and help the mother to regain control when faced with challenges. Conclusion: When breastfeeding challenges arise, women are forced to re-evaluate their situation. The groups not only provide information but help a mother regain control and achieve her breastfeeding goals. How exactly this might occur, and the impact variables will be considered in further themes.

AB - Background: Facebook support groups are becoming frequently used by mothers to support them with breastfeeding. Aim: To explore how breastfeeding mothers make sense of and interpret their experiences of online social support groups, and the perceived impact of group use. Method: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: This article reports on the first, of four, superordinate themes identified. Online breastfeeding support groups can support an internal vision of what breastfeeding is like and help the mother to regain control when faced with challenges. Conclusion: When breastfeeding challenges arise, women are forced to re-evaluate their situation. The groups not only provide information but help a mother regain control and achieve her breastfeeding goals. How exactly this might occur, and the impact variables will be considered in further themes.

KW - Breastfeeding support

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KW - Online support

KW - Peer support

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SN - 2158-0782

VL - 12

JO - Clinical Lactation

JF - Clinical Lactation

IS - 4

ER -

Exploring online breastfeeding support groups, part 1 of 2: Finding a community of like-minded people helps a mother to reach her breastfeeding goals

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