Perceived Barriers to and Social Supports for Breastfeeding Continuation in Rural Middle Tennessee

Authors

  • Bethany Wrye, PhD., MCHES
  • Chandra Story, PhD, MCHES
  • Kari Campbell, PhD, MPH
  • Jesse Teal, BS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2019.32

Keywords:

breastfeeding continuation, social support, women and infant health

Abstract

Despite established importance, few Tennessee mothers breastfeed for a year. The purpose of
this study was to examine perceived barriers to and perceived supports for this behavior. Quantitative
and qualitative data were collected using on-line surveys. Participants were recruited via convenience
and snowball sampling (N = 100). Significant findings were that support, determination, and comfort
breastfeeding in public all contribute to breastfeeding continuation success. The findings indicate that
education for maternal support systems, paid maternity leave, and acceptance of breastfeeding in public
may be worthwhile.

Published

2019-01-01

How to Cite

Wrye, B., Story, C., Campbell, K., & Teal, J. (2019). Perceived Barriers to and Social Supports for Breastfeeding Continuation in Rural Middle Tennessee. American Journal of Health Studies, 34(1). https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2019.32