“It has not been easy, but it has been worth it”: Experiences of Tandem Breastfeeding Mothers: A Qualitative Research

Year 2025, Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 26 - 37, 22.04.2025

Sidar Gül , Ayşegül Kılıçlı

https://doi.org/10.31125/hunhemsire.1502654

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers who practiced tandem breastfeeding.
Material and Methods: A phenomenological study was conducted through in-depth interviews with 18 mothers who had practiced tandem breastfeeding for over three months. Purposive sampling was used. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis process.
Results: The study's results were categorized under six themes, including decision-making, the meaning of tandem breastfeeding, challenges, benefits, barriers, and facilitators. The choice of tandem breastfeeding was based on the promotion of bio-psychosocial health. Tandem breastfeeding was a unique and pleasant experience, but it also caused fear. The process presented both challenges and benefits to bio-psychosocial health. Cultural beliefs and negative reactions were barriers to tandem breastfeeding, whereas social support and adequate knowledge were facilitators.
Conclusion: Tandem breastfeeding is a multifaceted experience shaped by maternal decisions, family dynamics, and community influences. Breastfeeding counseling programs need to be modified to meet the needs and priorities of tandem breastfeeding mothers, and awareness programs are essential at multisectoral levels.

Keywords

Lactation , nutrition , qualitative research , tandem breastfeeding

Ethical Statement

Approval was obtained from Siirt University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Application date: 01/09/2021 and, Approval number: 19741).

Supporting Institution

No external or intramural funding was received.

Thanks

The authors thank all the women who shared their time and experience to participate in this study.

"Kolay olmadı ama buna değdi": Tandem Emziren Annelerin Deneyimleri: Nitel Bir Araştırma

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, tandem emzirme uygulayan annelerin deneyimlerini keşfetmeyi amaçlamıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Üç aydan uzun süredir tandem emzirme uygulayan 18 anne ile derinlemesine görüşmeler yoluyla fenomenolojik bir çalışma yürütülmüştür. Amaçlı örnekleme kullanılmıştır. Veriler Colaizzi'nin fenomenolojik analiz süreci kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir.
Bulgular: Çalışmanın sonuçları karar verme, tandem emzirmenin anlamı, zorluklar, faydalar, engeller ve kolaylaştırıcılar olmak üzere altı tema altında kategorize edilmiştir. Tandem emzirme seçimi biyo-psikososyal sağlığın desteklenmesine dayanmaktadır. Tandem emzirme benzersiz ve hoş bir deneyim olmakla birlikte korkuya da neden olmuştur. Bu süreç biyo-psikososyal sağlık açısından hem zorluklar hem de faydalar sunmuştur. Kültürel inançlar ve olumsuz tepkiler tandem emzirmenin önündeki engeller iken, sosyal destek ve yeterli bilgi kolaylaştırıcı unsurlardı.
Sonuç: Tandem emzirme anne, aile ve toplum odaklı seçimlerden etkilenen karmaşık bir deneyimdir. Emzirme danışmanlığı programlarının tandem emziren annelerin ihtiyaç ve önceliklerini karşılayacak şekilde değiştirilmesi ve çok sektörlü düzeyde farkındalık programlarının uygulanması gerekmektedir.

Keywords

Beslenme , laktasyon , nitel araştırma , tandem emzirme

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