Table 5 Most challenging and helpful themes ranked as first
Challenging themes | Women living in Australia (N = 2332) n(%) | Women living in Ireland (N = 1648) n(%) | Women living in Sweden (N = 1220) n(%) |
 Unwanted attention | 629 (27.0%) | 467 (28.3%) | 466 (38.2%) |
 No comfortable place to sit | 468 (20.1%) | 281 (17.0%) | 80 (6.6%) |
 Environment not suitable | 439 (18.8%) | 479 (29.0%) | 213 (17.5%) |
 Awkward audience | 281 (12.0%) | 318 (19.2%) | 220 (18.0%) |
 Not wearing appropriate clothing | 174 (7.5%) | 71 (4.3%) | 16 (1.3%) |
 Potential for baby to be distracted | 122 (5.2%) | 97 (5.8%) | 9 (0.7%) |
 Struggling with feeding issues | 111 (4.8%) | 48 (2.9%) | 37 (3.0%) |
 Managing a distressed baby | 63 (2.7%) | 21 (1.2%) | 9 (0.7%) |
 Having to manage other children | 45 (1.9%) | 17 (1.0%) | 2 (0.2%) |
Helpful themes | Women living in Australia (N = 2466) n(%) | Women living in Ireland (N = 1744) n(%) | Women living in Sweden (N = 1250) n(%) |
 Supportive network | 459 (18.6%) | 500 (28.7%) | 114 (9.1%) |
 Quiet private suitable environment | 450 (18.2%) | 166 (9.5%) | 231 (18.5%) |
 Comfortable seating | 387 (15.7%) | 169 (9.7%) | 167 (13.4%) |
 Understanding and acceptance of others | 377 (15.3%) | 286 (16.4%) | 321 (25.7%) |
 Seeing other mothers breastfeed | 203 (8.2%) | 206 (11.8%) | 126 (10.1%) |
 Wearing suitable clothing or having a cover | 200 (8.1%) | 72 (4.1%) | 56 (4.5%) |
 Preparation and confidence | 170 (6.9%) | 176 (10.1%) | 84 (6.7%) |
 Breastfeeding is overtly welcomed | 154 (6.2%) | 145 (8.3%) | 71 (5.7%) |
 Knowledge of mother’s and children’s rights | 66 (2.7%) | 24 (1.4%) | 85 (6.8%) |