Experiences of Breastfeeding Mothers With Visual Disabilities

Background: Parents with visual impairment can have difficulty in breastfeeding their babies. This situation may cause mothers to have negative feelings towards the care of their babies and to have problems during breastfeeding process. Research Aims: To examine in detail (1) the breastfeeding experiences of mothers with visual impairment, and (2) the factors that facilitate and prevent these mothers from continuing to breastfeed. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, prospective generic qualitative design. The study sample (N = 15) consisted of mothers with visual impairment aged 18 and over, residing in Turkey, speaking Turkish, having an infant under the age of 2, and with breastfeeding experience. The analysis process was a content analysis approach. Data were collected through video or audio interviews using a semi-structured interview form. Results: Three main themes and 12 subthemes were determined: (1) negative emotions caused by breastfeeding, (2) barriers to initiating and maintaining breastfeeding, and (3) facilitators in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. Conclusion: The participants in our study stated that health personnel had limited information on how to communicate with and support them. For this reason, it is important that breastfeeding counselors and health care providers receive training about breastfeeding counseling for mothers with visual impairment so that they can provide information and advice to these mothers.