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Exploring Online Breastfeeding Support Groups, Part 1 of 2: Finding a Community of Like-Minded People Helps a Mother to Reach Her Breastfeeding Goals

journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-30, 19:23 authored by Amanda J. Wagg, Margie M. Callanan, Alexander Hassett
Background- Facebook groups are becoming frequently used by mothers for support 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 two of four superordinate themes. 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. They can provide a community of like-minded people. Conclusion- When breastfeeding challenges arise, women are forced to re-evaluate their situation. The groups not only provide information but also help a mother regain control and achieve her breastfeeding goals. Groups may be national or geographically local, but it was a like-minded community that provided both emotional and informational support, and a sense of safety. They provide a social capital for breastfeeding women and a social cohesion where women have strong ties a community of “faceless strangers.”

History

Refereed

  • Yes

Volume

12

Issue number

4

Page range

184-192

Publication title

Clinical Lactation

ISSN

2158-0537

Publisher

Springer

File version

  • Accepted version

Language

  • eng

Legacy posted date

2021-12-14

Legacy creation date

2022-01-13

Legacy Faculty/School/Department

Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine & Social Care

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