Skip to main content

Table 4 Themes and subthemes on reasons for infant feeding choices of women with HIV

From: Beyond health care providers’ recommendations: understanding influences on infant feeding choices of women with HIV in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Themes

Subthemes

Health workers’ recommendations

• Advised by health workers to breastfeed for at least six months.

• Advised by nurse that breast milk is the best option for the baby.

• Advised by nurse that breast milk is healthy and prevents diseases.

• Recommended by doctor to formula feed as there is 25% chance of infection through breastfeeding.

Perceived benefits of breastfeeding

• Best choice.

• Good for the baby.

• Baby will grow fast.

• Unaffordability of formula.

• Breast milk is cheap.

• Breast milk makes baby strong.

• I love to breast milk

• Breast milk helps prevent baby from getting becoming sick or getting infections

• It is the healthiest and the most nutritious option

• Baby will have strong muscle

• Previous experience was good

• Want to experience breastfeeding for the first time

• Breast feeding connects the mother to the baby

Work/school related

• Returning to school

• Returning to work

• Looking for employment

• Farm work is too much and won’t be able to stay with the baby

Fear of transmitting the infection to their babies

• I am scared to breastfeed because the baby will be infected

Breast related issues

• Breast milk not secreting/flowing

• Painful breast

• Breasts have warts

Other reasons

• Baby refused to suck

• Forced

• Domestic violence

• Wanted to give baby up for adoption

• Advised by mum/spouse

• No reason