"Plötsligt blev det jag fruktade mest något mysigt mellan mig och min dotter..." : En kvalitativ webbaserad enkätundersökning om kvinnors erfarenheter av amningsstöd

Sammanfattning

Background: The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding during the infant’s first sixmonths to ensure adequate nutritional intake. Midwives are responsible for communicatingthe health benefits of breastfeeding, providing practical support and preventingcomplications based on knowledge of breastfeeding practices. Difficulties such as pain,insufficient milk production and challenges with infant positioning may hinder thebreastfeeding process and require professional guidance. Breastfeeding may have a protectiveeffect against mental health problems, whereas breastfeeding difficulties can increasepsychological strain. Aim: To describe women’s experiences of breastfeeding support.Method: A qualitative web-based survey using purposive and snowball sampling. Womenwho had given birth and breastfed their child during the period 2020–2025 were included.Results: Three categories and seven subcategories were created. The women describedinsufficient emotional support from healthcare services, whereas practical breastfeedingsupport was provided to a greater extent. The partner emerged as an important source ofsupport in the breastfeeding process, and individualized support also appeared to besignificant. Opinions from the surrounding environment and societal norms regardingbreastfeeding were described as present. Conclusion: Changes within the care continuumare needed to enable more individualized breastfeeding support. Women increasingly requestguidance from midwives that is both individualized and emotionally supportive. At present,healthcare services do not fully meet the requirements for supportive breastfeeding care,highlighting the need for more structured and coherent efforts in clinical practice.