EXCLUSIVE BREASTMILK PUMPING: REFINING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPLORING FAMILIES’ EXPERIENCES

Abstract

Breastmilk is the biological normative substance for infants, yet some families cannot breastfeed, choose not to breastfeed, or attempt to breastfeed and then transition to formula when they encounter problems. Some parents are feeding their infants breastmilk produced from the process of exclusive expression (EE). This dissertation portfolio includes a definition of EE derived from a concept analysis and an integrative review of the current literature, together providing an essential foundation for all future EE-related research. Additionally, this portfolio includes the report of original qualitative research, which was guided by the methodology of Interpretive Description. The study entailed conducting interviews with and reviewing social media posts from EE parents. The aim was to determine what we can learn from parents who utilize EE in the home environment to provide nutrition for their full-term, healthy babies. Some findings were consistent with the published literature, while others were novel. Unique findings in this study included the parents’ experiential wisdom transforming into guidance for both healthcare providers and for future parents who may choose to provide breastmilk using EE. In addition, within the theme of experiential wisdom, there are clear examples of parents having learned to “trust their gut” and the reassuring results that followed. Clinical insights were gleaned from hearing parents recount their antepartum, intrapartum, and EE experiences. The portfolio concludes with a summary of the dissertation documents and an overview of next steps in the author’s anticipated program of EE research