Desired but Unattained Breastfeeding: A Qualitative Exploration of Maternal Perceptions in a Cultural-Religious Context.

Background

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding up to two years or beyond. However, many mothers are unable to meet their breastfeeding expectations, resulting in a significant emotional impact shaped by social, cultural, and occupational factors.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore mothers' perceptions and experiences of desired but unattained breastfeeding, with particular attention to its cultural-religious dimension.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study within an interpretivist paradigm was conducted between September 2024 and February 2025. Thirty women (15 Christian and 15 Muslim) receiving care from a primary care midwife in a Spanish city in North Africa participated. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using inductive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's approach.

Results

Four main themes were identified: (1) emotional experiences and feelings, (2) reasons for breastfeeding discontinuation, (3) contextual and structural barriers, and (4) the influence of the social environment and support networks. Although both groups shared emotions such as guilt, frustration, and sadness, some differences were observed in how breastfeeding discontinuation was interpreted and experienced within this sample. Several Muslim participants expressed distress in relation to maternal identity and perceived maternal inadequacy, whereas several Christian participants more frequently emphasised contextual factors such as perceived lack of support or social pressure.

Conclusions

The experience of desired but unattained breastfeeding is complex and may be shaped by cultural-religious context alongside individual, social, and structural factors. Integrating a transcultural approach into healthcare provision may improve emotional support and help reduce the burden of guilt and distress associated with breastfeeding discontinuation.