Introduction: Research has shown that most women idealize the concept and practicalities of breastfeeding prior to giving birth. As a consequence, they are often not ready for any problems that occur. Both foreign and local research indicate that this unpreparedness is the primary reason for mothers to quit breastfeeding a short time after birth. Research has also shown that some new mothers tend to lose their sense of freedom and independence after childbirth because their lifestyle is adversely affected due to their new role. Their everyday life revolves mostly in the care for the child, which requires the mother's presence. Feeding the child with the formula milk reduces the requirement of the mothers presence. Research indicated that the mothers developed the effect of feeling that they were constantly at their child's disposal. This lead to developing bad moods, fatigue, distress, and quitting breastfeeding altogether. The negative attitude toward breastfeeding and complications arising from the breastfeeding process lead to feeding the child with the milk formula from the child's birth or soon after. Purpose: This thesis discusses a multitude of reasons for new mothers quitting breastfeeding and analyzing those reasons to make healthcare staff aware of the problems facing the new mother. As a result of the healthcare staff becoming more aware of the problems and reasons why new mothers are quitting breastfeeding, they can refine their approach to having mothers implement or continue the breastfeeding process. These factors are the main reason for mothers quitting breastfeeding in Slovenia. Methods: The diploma thesis implements the descriptive methods of research, data gathering, critical assessment and the analysis of the local and foreign professional literature, which analyses the research on breastfeeding or quitting breastfeeding. Discussion and conclusion: Up to 2 % of mothers are physically not capable of breastfeeding. It is for this segment that the formula milk is made. In normal circumstances, breastfeeding is mostly never implemented or it is prematurely ended due to sociological or personal factors rather than biological obstacles. A suitable support system can have positive effects on the women's decision to breastfeed, its duration and the experience itself. One additional benefit of breastfeeding, the research shows, is that children who are breastfed are less prone to obesity in adulthood. One of the most important missions of the nurses in obstetrics is to recognize women who have the risk factors of quitting breastfeeding and assisting those mothers in the breastfeeding process.
Keywords: breastfeeding, quitting breastfeeding, nurse, promotion of breastfeeding.
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