Online social support group use by breastfeeding mothers: A content analysis

Background: Breastfeeding is a public health priority and lack of breastfeeding support a contributing factor to the low initiation and continuation rates in the UK. Online social support groups are being increasingly utilised by breastfeeding mothers and research into this phenomenon is only now emerging. Aim: To document and describe the posts made within an online breastfeeding support group. Method: The posts made to an online breastfeeding social support group between 1st and 7th November 2016 were recorded using an unobtrusive non-participant design, and subject to systematic message content analysis. Themes relating to topics of discussion were deduced from the data and concepts of social support used to analyse the data. Results: The group received 501 posts over the week (m = 72, range 20–93 a day) and was accessed 24 hours a day. Eighty-two percent of posts received comments (m = 12, range 0–415, SD = 24) and 93% received likes (m = 11, range = 0–641, SD 42). The group was used from pregnancy and until the child was over two years old. The majority of infants discussed were aged 6 weeks to 6 months. Informational support was the greatest reason for use (65%), followed by esteem support (18%) and emotional support (10%). Thirteen topics of conversations were identified. Conclusion: Mothers are using online social support groups in their thousands to seek information from people in similar situations. Not only do they pose questions but they discuss a range of parenting and breastfeeding topics in an environment that aims to support and facilitate responses. The impact of this support avenue within the wider context of professional, family and offline support warrants further investigation through a qualitative approach

Exploring Online Breastfeeding Support Groups, Part 1 of 2: Finding a Community of Like-Minded People Helps a Mother to Reach Her Breastfeeding Goals

Background- Facebook groups are becoming frequently used by mothers for support with breastfeeding. Aim- To explore how breastfeeding mothers make sense of and interpret their experiences of online social support groups, and the perceived impact of group use. Method- Interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results- This article reports two of four superordinate themes. Online breastfeeding support groups can support an internal vision of what breastfeeding is like and help the mother to regain control when faced with challenges. They can provide a community of like-minded people. Conclusion- When breastfeeding challenges arise, women are forced to re-evaluate their situation. The groups not only provide information but also help a mother regain control and achieve her breastfeeding goals. Groups may be national or geographically local, but it was a like-minded community that provided both emotional and informational support, and a sense of safety. They provide a social capital for breastfeeding women and a social cohesion where women have strong ties a community of “faceless strangers.

Exploring Online Social Support Groups, Part 2

Background- Facebook support groups are becoming frequently used by mothers to support them in breastfeeding. Aim- To explore how breastfeeding mothers make sense of and interpret their experiences of online social support groups, and the perceived impact of group use. Method- Ten semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted, data transcribed, and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results- This article reports on two of four themes. Breastfeeding women seek different types of support at different times in their breastfeeding journey, and the groups were seen to offer emotional, technical, informational, and experiential support. Professional support was sought for “major” issues, but the experiences of like-minded others were important for most women, managing the day-to-day challenges and emotions when becoming a mother and breastfeeding. They provide a community of likeminded people who support the mother to build confidence and provide reassurance that normalizes breastfeeding and leads to reciprocity and activism. Conclusion- Mothers appreciated the informational, emotional, and experiential support that the online groups offered; support that provided confidence, reassurance, and normalized breastfeeding