Examining the Barriers and Facilitators of Breastfeeding Duration Among Active-Duty Military Mothers
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Major
Nursing
Date of Defense
5-4-2016
Graduate Advisor
Kathie Records, PhD, RN, FAAN
Committee
Dr. Maryann Bozzette
Dr. Shelly Hanko
Abstract
Abstract Objective: To describe breastfeeding duration, as well as barriers and facilitators experienced, by active-duty women in the United States military. Design: A cross-sectional design guided the study. Setting: The setting was a social media site offering breastfeeding education and support for military mothers. Participants: The sample included 292 mothers who reported having a baby, initiating breastfeeding postpartum, and returning to work while serving active-duty in the United States within the last five years. Methods: An investigator-designed Qualtrics survey with multiple choice, Likert, and open-ended questions was used. Analysis procedures focused on descriptive statistics, chi-square, and logistic regression. Content analysis was used to identify common themes in qualitative data. Results: Participants reported breastfeeding at a rate in line with Healthy People 2020 goals. Enlisted as compared with officer mothers were less likely to meet their breastfeeding goals (32% vs 50%) and more likely to report job barriers as the primary reason for cessation (42% vs 26%). The most frequently reported job-related barriers were lack of time and proper accommodation. Facilitators included self-motivation, proper accommodations, schedule flexibility, workplace support and policy. Perception of the military as being a hindrance was the primary predictor of not meeting breastfeeding goals. The need for providing leadership with education on breastfeeding was a major theme. Conclusions: Addressing issues that might ease the difficulties in balancing career and family are vital for retention in the military which is now experiencing 30% greater loss of childbearing age women than men. Military policies related to maternity leave and lactation are a work-in-progress, but findings from this study show that perception of support from the military is a critical factor in meeting one’s breastfeeding goal.
Recommended Citation
Farwell, Andrea Lynn, "Examining the Barriers and Facilitators of Breastfeeding Duration Among Active-Duty Military Mothers" (2016). Dissertations. 4.
https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/4