Table 3 Subtheme frequencies for what the women ranked as number one most important and needed to encourage a breastfeeding culture

Themes and subthemes

Women living in Australia

(n = 1900)

n (%)

Women living in Ireland

(n = 1597)

n (%)

Women living in Sweden

(n = 1252)

n (%)

Theme - Active supportive interventions needed for breastfeeding

Subthemes

Make breastfeeding visible in society

550 (29%)

710 (41%)

594 (47%)

Healthcare professionals support and knowledge regarding breastfeeding

88 (5%)

164 (9%)

126 (10%)

Education of the public

544 (28%)

532 (31%)

185 (15%)

Inviting environment

266 (14%)

191 (11%)

134 (11%)

Theme – The obvious right of breastfeeding women and children to take a seat in the public sphere

Subthemes

Zero tolerance to others’ unwanted opinions

109 (6%)

25 (1%)

48 (4%)

Focusing on the needs and rights of the breastfeeding dyad

162 (8%)

91 (6%)

75 (6%)

Desexualize breastfeeding and women’s bodies in society

181 (9%)

32 (2%)

89 (7%)