Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
5-2019
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Program
Nursing
Advisor
Martha V. Whetsell
Committee Members
Catherine Alicia Georges
James L. Cox
Marie Claire Roberts
Stephanie Lewin
Subject Categories
Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing | Nursing
Keywords
Breastfeeding, LIved Experience, Baby Friendly Hospital
Abstract
The purpose of this research study was to explore the lived experiences of African-American first-time mothers at a hospital following the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) guidelines to promote breastfeeding. Breastfeeding rates for African-American mothers are lower than other racial groups. BFHI institutions offer breastfeeding support through adaptation of a set of practices designed to promoted exclusive breastfeeding. Reflection on this experience allows discovery of approaches that help both nurses and patients. The study methodology used is qualitative phenomenology developed by van Maned (1990) with its’ philosophical origin in the work of Merleau-Ponty (2008). Participants were nine first-time mothers who self-identified as African-American between the ages of 20 and 30 at a BFHI compliant hospital. The five essential themes were revealed through the interview processes were professional support for breastfeeding, knowledge of breastfeeding, commitment to breastfeeding, community of mothers, and being seen as a good mother. The Roy Adaptation Model (RAM) (Roy & Andrews, 1991; Roy, 2009) is the nursing model used to understand the African-American first-time breastfeeding mother as an adaptive system with a purposeful cause.
Recommended Citation
Hagerty, Catherine A., "The Lived Experience of African American First-Time Breastfeeding Mothers at a Baby Friendly Hospital" (2019). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/3150