Mothers' Breastfeeding Experiences in the NICU

Purpose: There is extensive literature on the physical and physiologic benefits of breastfeeding premature infants. Less is known about mothers' perceptions of their own breastfeeding experience. This study explored the maternal experience of breastfeeding initiation and progression in the NICU.

Design: A qualitative, descriptive design.

Sample: A convenience sample of ten mothers was recruited from a Level III NICU. The sample included mothers of infants between 33 and 36 weeks gestational time at the time of the interview who had been in the NICU for at least five days.

Main Outcome Variable: Mothers' breastfeeding experiences with preterm infants in an NICU.

Results: Mothers described their breastfeeding experiences in terms of maintaining milk production, the regimen of the NICU , mother as learner, personal motivation, and forming attachments.