| The qualitative, hermeneutic interview study explored the maternal meaning for increased breastfeeding duration. The problem researched was that in the first three months post partum, exclusive breastfeeding rates in Florida decline significantly. The purpose of the qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological study presented was to explore the lived experiences of exclusive breastfeeding for the first three months and to generate knowledge about maternal reasons that are associated with the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding. Twenty participants were interviewed, data collected, and analyzed with the NVivo 8 software which assisted in the establishing of invariant constituents through coding of the information from transcription from recorded interviews. Individual themes were analyzed for substantial phenomenological basis by the maternal lived experiences. Participants responded to six research questions which identified participants' meaning for increased breastfeeding duration. The study revealed six emergent themes: (a) knowing about breastfeeding, (b) maternal planning for breastfeeding, (c) maternal support, (d) financial concerns, (e) lack of difficulty with breastfeeding, (f) maternal commitment and dedication. The research findings supported literature related to the reasons for increased breastfeeding duration. Recommendations include that healthcare educators consider early education and support related to breastfeeding for mothers in the prenatal period. Recommendations also include that healthcare educators consider the creation of strategies to incorporate frequent educational and supportive opportunities throughout the prenatal, antepartum, and post partum periods. |
