Experiences of mothers with early weaning: a grounded theory

Qualitative research with a theoretical-methodological contribution from Grounded Theory (Straussian perspective), carried out in the context of primary health care in a medium-sized municipality in the northeast of Brazil. 19 collaborators participated by theoretical sampling. Data collection took place between April and September 2018, with in-depth interviews, and was analyzed in three stages: open and axial coding, and integration.

Results:

The central category "Women experiencing guilt and overload due to early weaning" was supported by three categories: a) conditions: “Showing the factors that limit breastfeeding”; b) actions/interactions: “Trying to balance motherhood and work during breastfeeding” and “Insufficient social support to keep exclusive breastfeeding”; and c) consequences: “Introducing formula and complementary foods before six months” and “Blaming oneself for the early weaning”.

Final considerations:

The theoretical model can give support to managers and health professionals to advocate for longer maternity leaves and confront gender disparities and inequities, professional performance with conflicts of interest, and abusive marketing regarding the use of formula.

Descriptors:
Breast feeding; Maternal and child health; Child health; Grounded theory; Weaning; Nursing

SG	Hypotheses	Guiding question	Inclusion criteria	Exclusion criteria	Enrollment of participants
1st. - Mothers	-	Could you tell me how you experience the early weaning of your child? What aspects contributed for you to interrupt exclusive breastfeeding?	(1) Mothers with children up to six months who went through early weaning; (2) mothers who lived in the urban area of the town; and (3) 18-year-old or older mothers.	(1) Mothers of babies with galactosemia or other diseases that would prevent breastfeeding; and (2) mothers with auditory issues, who could not be communicated with, since we are also searching for meaning in language and there was no sign-language translator.	Selected intentionally; considered to be key participants to answer the goal of the study; indicated by the community health agents that monitored them in home visits.
2nd. - Health workers	Health workers have an influence on early weaning.	I would like to know how you perceive the influence of health workers in early weaning. What factors do you think make early weaning more difficult? What are the strategies used, based on your experience, to promote exclusive breastfeeding in your community? How do women receive support during exclusive breastfeeding?	(1) Primary care and family health professionals; and (2) professionals who work for four months re more, since the professional has a very close contact with the community, standing out in health care.	(1) Having worked for four months or less; (2) being on vacation or on leave during collection.	The professionals were indicated according with the analytical process of the first SG, as references in the attention to new mothers; were selected by convenience; and worked in the setting of the study.
3rd - Families	Relatives, especially grandparents and fathers, are important references in regard to breastfeeding, due to how close their relationships are with the woman and are considered co-participant in early weaning.	How do you see the participation of the family in early weaning? Tell me about the cultural factors that can have an influence on early weaning.	(1) Members from the family support network, especially grandmothers and fathers, have a stronger bond of affection; and (2) older than 18.	(1) Fathers who were imprisoned or prevented from in-person meetings; and (2) communication difficulties and speech incoherence from chronic diseases that affect cognition.	Indicated by members of the first SG.

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Escola de Enfermagem Rua São Manoel, 963 -Campus da Saúde , 90.620-110 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brasil, Fone: (55 51) 3308-5242 / Fax: (55 51) 3308-5436 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brazil
E-mail: revista@enf.ufrgs.br

Acompanhe os números deste periódico no seu leitor de RSS

[1] Corresponding author: Tássia Regine de Morais Alves E-mail: tassiamorais@gmail.com