Exploring
mothers'
experiences of
breastfeeding
beyond infancy

It was apparent from the data that the mothers' relationships with health professionals changed radically over the course of the breastfeeding journey. These professionals were in a fundamental position to have both positive and negative consequences for a mother's breastfeeding practices.

During pregnancy, birth and infancy, the majority of mothers reported positive experiences of health professionals and breastfeeding was encouraged throughout these stages. 

However, as breastfeeding continued, the responses from health professionals changed radically, despite some of the mothers reporting a sense of achievement and determination to continue breastfeeding after overcoming initial barriers.

Many of the mothers stated that breastfeeding was not presented as an option by health visitors, with the focus shifting to weaning and many of the benefits of breastfeeding discounted.

The study participants mentioned a number of specific topics about which they felt they had been misinformed. This resulted in them looking for alternative avenues to find further information.

These topics included:

• Night weaning
• Fertility while breastfeeding
• Tandem feeding
• Support with positive self-weaning
• Returning to work - the issue of returning to work was frequently raised by the participants as a critical point for women, with many feeling that they would have to give up breastfeeding

Many of the mothers turned to online forums for support with these issues to seek advice from other mothers going through similar experiences.

The mothers in the study spoke passionately about breastfeeding beyond infancy. There was a strong sense that children had a right to breastmilk, with the fact that it was still being produced being used as a way to present breastfeeding beyond infancy as a natural thing to do.

For many of the mothers, continuing to breastfeed beyond infancy was viewed an essential part of fulfilling their role as a mother. It allowed a close bond to be maintained following maternity leave and offering enhanced levels of protection.

However, there was a strong consensus that continuing to breastfeed beyond infancy was not socially acceptable. Many of the mothers encountered a range of challenging situations, facing both implicit and explicit judgement from others, including experiencing disapproval from family members. This led the mothers to make close links to public expectations that breastfeeding was only for babies.

The women in the study were happy with their decision to continue the breastfeeding journey beyond infancy but felt that, as they continued their transition, the support for breastfeeding dwindled.

Judgement and feelings of being alone led the women to seek out advice and support from alternative sources such as voluntary services and online support groups.

Voluntary groups allowed the mothers to meet like-minded individuals face to face who were attuned to their breastfeeding practices. Consequently, the women were able to feel part of a community and receive specialised support that was not forthcoming from health visitors and healthcare practitioners. For many, the meetings helped to address the stigma around breastfeeding beyond infancy and enabled the women to feel less marginalised. 

Many of the mothers in the study also spoke about the relevance of specific closed groups on social media. These allowed them to access support whenever they needed it, rather than being tied to face to face groups at set times.

The international membership of such groups was particularly important in further normalising breastfeeding beyond infancy, sharing experiences with women from across the world.