Beliefs and Decision-Making of First-Time Mothers Planning to Use a Breast Pump

Abstract

Beliefs and decision-making processes associated with breast pump use in first-time mothers providing human milk to healthy, term newborns soon after birth are explored in this qualitative, descriptive study. Eight women participated in an individual semistructured interview in a community hospital in the southeastern United States. Guided by the theory of planned behavior, conventional content analysis about prenatal and early postpartum beliefs of planning and utilizing breast pumps yielded themes ofResource Gathering,Intention Refining, andBehavior Navigating. An understanding of these beliefs gives insight into ways health professionals can increase collaboration with expectant and new mothers about the selection and safe use of breast pumps, resource availability at various stages, and infant-feeding goals.