Breastfeeding Duration

Article Review # 105175

Child, Youth Issues
Medical and Health > Nursing
Women Studies

This article provides a critique of the article "Breastfeeding duration in an Australian population" by Blyth, et al, which discusses the impact of modifiable risk factors on breastfeeding duration.

1,523 words () | 1 source | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

In this paper, the writer discusses an article "Breastfeeding Duration in an Australian Population: The Influence of Modifiable Antenatal Factors." by Blyth, R., M. Mid, D. Creedy, C. Dennis, W. Moyle, J. Pratt, S. De Vries & Healy, G. The writer maintains that the modifiable factors discussed in the article have implications for nursing interventions, and all of the researchers who conducted this study are nurses. The writer notes that even though almost all mothers initiate breastfeeding, the current trend around the world is that one-half of those mothers discontinue the practice by one month postpartum and very few are breastfeeding at a later time. This critique assesses the value of the modifiable factors isolated by the researchers, along with the validity of the findings. The writer concludes that modifiable factors do not actually predict breastfeeding duration but they are a reliable source of nursing information about breastfeeding behavior.

From the Paper:

"The authors include a literature review that focuses on the decline of breastfeeding and on factors identified in other research which affect the duration of the practice. Among the non-modifiable factors is being economically deprived, or being a member of an ethnic or racial group with inadequate language skills. The modifiable factors include the presence of social support, being provided with essential information, the intention to breastfeed, and confidence with breastfeeding. One of the most formidable obstacles to effective breastfeeding and its duration is lack of needed information by the mother. Most research suggests that when information is provided, breastfeeding will be initiated and its duration will be extended. The authors point out that there is no real consensus about the effectiveness of health teaching, however. The researchers also note the significance given by previous studies to social support. Support from family members can result in three times the likelihood of breastfeeding and a support network also is influential."

Sample of Sources Used:

Blyth, R., M. Mid, D. Creedy, C. Dennis, W. Moyle, J. Pratt, S. De Vries & Healy, G. (2004). Breastfeeding duration in an Australian population: The influence of modifiable antenatal factors. Journal of Human Lactation, 20(1), 30-38.