The Meaning of Breastfeeding in Korean Mothers KIM Shin-Jeong, JEONG Geum-Hee , Department of Nursing, Hallym Universi

1. The Meaning of Breastfeedingin Korean MothersKIMShin-Jeong, JEONGGeum-Hee,Departmentof Nursing, HallymUniversity, Chunchon,200-702, KOREA Abstract The Purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of breastfeedingusing a phenomenological research methodology. The sample consisted of 9 primiparousmothers who had breastfedtheir babies at least for 3 consecutive months. Data were collected from January 10 to February 28, 1998 through interviewing. The research question was "What was the meaning of breastfeedjngto breastfeedingmothers?" Responses to non-structured open-ended question was audio-recorded during the interview. Data were analyzed using the phenomenological method of Colazzi. From the protocols, significant statements about meaning of breastfeedingwere clustered into 8 themes. Mothers perceived meaning of breastfeedingas feeling of unification through tie, expression of love, gift, nutritional supplement, duty as a mother, nurturing, mystery, and identity. From the results of this study, breastfeedingmothers perceived breastfeedingpositively, so nurses need to encourage mothers to breastfeedher baby and develop program which can promote successful breastfeeding. key word: breastfeeding Introduction Since beginning of the time, breastfeedinghas been considered one of the world's the most natural occurrences. In Korea, most women traditionally learn breastfeedingfrom their mother or their extended relatives. But under the influence of western culture, breastfeedinghas shown steady decline since the 1970's to where only 10-20% of Korean mothers breastfedat least one child. The experience of mothers who continue to breastfedwhen other alternatives are available has received little attention. Purpose To explore the thinking about breastfeedingand to enhance understanding of what breastfeedingis like for mothers in a deeper more meaningful way. Method For the purpose of this study, breastfeedingwas defined as delivery of the mother's breast milk to the baby as the primary source of nutriment for more than 3 consecutive months. The purposive sample consisted of 9 primiparousmothers who had breastfedtheir babies for at least 3 months and 'partial breastfeeding' was not included in this sample. The sample technique is "snowballing", which one participant refers another person to be interviewed. Interviews were done in the women's homes, using a non-structured guide that permitted freedom to relate personal experiences and beliefs. The data were tape-recorded with their permission. The method of data analysis based on phenomenological method suggested by Colaizzi. Results From the interviews with the mothers, significant statements draw from the law data indicating the meaning of breastfeeding. And significant statements organized into 38 formulating meanings which were then grouped into clusters of 8 themes. The results from the interviews are summarized as follows. #1 Feeling of unification through tie Feeling of unification through tie contain 6 formulating meanings: naval string, physical coupling, inseparable one body, last umbricalcord, connection and medium between baby and mother. #2 Expression of Love Expression of love contains 5 formulating meanings: mother's love, a kind of attachment, true heart, human nature and motherhood. #3 Gift Gift contains 6 formulating meanings: the best gift, the first present, God's present, the thing baby most want, thing only mother can give and the thing baby can take. #4 Nutritional supplement Nutritional supplement contains 5 formulating meanings: the best food, natural food, ideal nutrition, diet, main nutrient. #5 Duty as a Mother Duty as a mother contains 5 formulating meanings: a matter of course, mother's will, common sense, natural thing and obligation to her baby. #6 Nurturing Nurturing contains 3 formulating meanings: bring up, rearer and breeding. #7 Mystery Mystery contains 3 formulating meanings: miracle thing, the marvelous and mystery. #8 Identity Identity contains 5 formulating meanings: real mother, an essential being, maturity, broad-mindedness and generosity. Nursing Implication There is no question the fact that successful breastfeedingbestows significant benefits, both physical and psychological upon both the mother and the baby. Belief and attitudes toward breastfeedingcan have major impacts on breastfeedingsuccess. From the result of this study, breastfeedingmothers perceived breastfeedingpositively. So, by being attuned to the mother's personal experience, nurses can promote the sound nature of breastfeedingand assess the need for additional helpful information about breastfeeding. Cultural differences is the one of the most important sources of support to new mothers. Strategies for promotion of breastfeedingshould be based on an awareness of the cultural understanding to breastfeedingin a particular community. This study offers the possibility of better understanding the experience of mothers as they pursue breastfeedingand stimulates further reflection on the meaning of this experience. Insight gained can help to increase our sensitivity and improve the nursing care we provide to our patients. References 1. Bottorff, J.L. & Morse, A.J.(1990). Persistence in breastfeeding: a phenomenological investigation. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 15, 201-209. 2. Entwistle, F.(1991). The most natural function. Nursing Times, 87(18), 24-25 3. Kim, S.J. & Lee J.H.(1993). The lived experience of breastfeedingmothers. Nursing Sciences, 5, 33-65. 4. Jeong, G.H.(1997). Effect of the nursing intervention program on promoting the breast-feeding practice in primipara. Unpublished doctoral thesis. EwhaWomansUniversity, Seoul, Korea. 5. Wrigley, E.A. &Hutchinson, S.A.(1990). Long-term breastfeeding: the secret bond. Journal of Nurse-Midwifery, 35(1), 35-41. 6. Yoo, A. J. (1991). Korean's traditional child rearing method. Seoul National University Publishing Co.