Existential and embodied presence—the meaning of peer support caring as experienced by breastfeeding peer support mothers in Sweden

Breastfeeding can evoke existential anxiety-feelings of homelessness and uncanniness-that awaken a desire for what Heidegger calls Care: a fundamental mode of being marked by engaged, reciprocal concern for existence. In this study, peer support caring is explored as a voluntary caregiving practice. When this practice embodies elements of Care, it becomes existential caring-a transferable form of care that fosters existential health and wellbeing, meaning and authenticity. Existential caring may enrich professional care, where structural limitations affect breastfeeding support.