Views of maternity nurses relating barriers in early initiation of breastfeeding: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION: Although breastfeeding is common in Turkey, the proportion of breastfed infants in the first hour after birth is not the desired level. The aim of the study was to explore the difficulties in the early initiation of breastfeeding encountered by maternity nurses.
METHODS: Phenomenology model of the qualitative research design was used in the study. The data were collected by in-depth interview method. Content analysis was used to analyze the data, and findings were categorized into themes.
RESULTS: Barriers related to the early initiation of breastfeeding was into four main themes: delivery, culture, hospital environment and health care staff. Delivery mode, pain and the perception of insufficient milk were included theme of delivery. Theme of culture was consist of traditional practices, patriarchal family structure, and language sub-themes. Theme of the hospital environment was involved lack of privacy and chaos. Finally understaffing, insufficient knowledge and employee turn rates were inclusived health care staff theme.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Interviewing about barriers of the early initiation breastfeeding with nurses provided understanding deeper this critical period. The findings suggest that delivery related factors, cultural and environmental elements were obstacles in initiating early breastfeeding. To support and counseling given in the early postpartum period is important for the initiation of breastfeeding. To eliminate the barriers in this process it is recommended to improve the education and health care policy.