ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 12 > Iss. 3 (2024)
Credentials Display
Lisa Sutton, OTD, OTR/L; Julie Kugel, OTD, OTR/L; Dragana Krpalek PhD, OTR/L; Arezou Salamat, OTD, MOT, OTR/L
Abstract
Background: Even with efforts to encourage mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months, the majority of women are not able to undertake breastfeeding as the sole means of infant nutrition provision for various reasons. The role of occupational therapists working with mothers who breastfeed is complex and not strongly supported in the literature. Therefore, this qualitative study was designed to examine the role that occupational therapists may engage in supporting mothers and infants in the co-occupation of breastfeeding.
Method: A qualitative phenomenological study design was applied and included 11 occupational therapists working with breastfeeding dyads. The occupational therapists engaged in a semi-structured interview that examined how they worked with mothers and infants who breastfed in practice. Data were analyzed to identify themes that emerged from interviews.
Results: Four key themes were identified: An occupational therapy approach, patient education and direct intervention, mental health support, and understanding breastfeeding as an occupation and co-occupation.
Conclusion: Occupational therapists provided holistic and individualized treatment strategies for breastfeeding dyads. Occupational therapists have a unique understanding of the co-occupation of breastfeeding and are equipped to address a variety of maternal and infant factors, leading to improved health and well-being for both members of the breastfeeding dyad.
Recommended Citation
Sutton, L. J., Kugel, J. D., Krpalek, D., & Salamat, A. (2024). Breastfeeding as Co-Occupation: Occupational Therapy’s Role in Promoting Health and Well-Being. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 12(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2150
Comments
The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.