The breastfeeding battlefront: a qualitative analysis of testimonies from breastfeeding mothers in the Spanish Armed Forces

ABSTRACT Background: In the Armed Forces, many circumstances enhance the complexity of backtowork breastfeeding. Unfortunately, only a few pieces of research focus on the duration, barriers and enablers of breastfeeding in the Armed Forces; to date, no one has been conducted in the Spanish Armed Forces. The present research focuses on those situations faced by breastfeeding military mothers within the Spanish Armed Forces. Material and Methods: A crosssectional, retrospective, qualitative study was conducted through individual interviews as a part of a broader study on motherhood in the Spanish Armed Forces. Once transcribed, they were analysed from the interpretative perspective of hermeneutic phenomenology. Results: The Spanish Armed Forces lack adequate policies, information and premises to support breastfeeding among servicewomen. Many interviewees stressed the importance of their superiors’ and colleagues’ awareness regarding breastfeeding. Even though most interviewees chose to breastfeed their babies exclusively during maternity leave, many started mixed feeding with supplementary formula when returning to work. Conclusions: It would be desirable to devise a plan to endorse servicewomen through this crucial phase of their lives, raising awareness among its ranks regarding the innumerable benefits of breastfeeding. In addition, establishing a network of breastfeeding rooms on most military premises would also be essential.