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Description

The purpose of this project was to assess and explore the occupational needs of mothers who are feeding their infants in a variety of ways to then identify psychosocial and occupational barriers affecting women's’ choices in feeding options for their infant through survey and interviews and opportunities for occupational therapists to become more involved in the occupation of breastfeeding.

Data analysis for this capstone project consisted of running a needs assessment in Santa Barbara County. The needs assessment consisted of written or online surveys and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Of the 95 women who filled out the hard-copy or online survey, 25 were expectant mothers and 70 were postpartum mothers with a 0-12-month-old. Of the 95 women who participated in the survey, 48 consented to be contacted further by the student for an interview. Of the 48 women who consented to an interview, 21 total mothers were interviewed due to their availability. The student reviewed both the survey answers and the detailed notes from the phone interviews in order to identify mothers' common responses and organize them into themes.

This capstone project suggests that occupational therapists have a large role to play in maternal mental health and the lactation community. Occupational therapists can change the promotion of breastfeeding to benefit the population of new mothers by applying their unique perspective and knowledge of routines and role transitions associated with the occupation of breastfeeding and help enhance the psychosocial and occupational lives of mothers.

Publication Date

Spring 4-23-2020

Medical Subject Headings

Occupational Therapy, Breast Feeding, Mothers, Postpartum Period, Maternal Health, Surveys and Questionnaires

Disciplines

Obstetrics and Gynecology | Occupational Therapy

Comments

Poster presented at the Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences on April 23, 2020.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). CDC Newsroom. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0822-breastfeeding-rates.html

Supporting the Role and Transition to Motherhood Through the Occupation of Feeding

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