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Table 5 Focus Group Discussion themes and codes arranged by frequency counts

From: Psychosocial barriers and enablers of exclusive breastfeeding: lived experiences of mothers in low-income townships, North West Province, South Africa

Theme and codes

Barrier

Enabler

Mothers’ attributes: physical and mental wellbeing, experience and relationships

Frequency counts*

 Mother’s body image

+

+

 Mother’s negative emotions (angry, unhappy)

++

–

Mother’s positive emotions (happy, feels good)

+

++E

 Mother’s perception of breastmilk supply

++++

++

 Mother’s experience (not first child)

+

+

 Mother’s first breastfeeding experience

+

+

 Mother’s health status or physical wellbeing

+++

++

 Mother’s choice

+

+

 Mother’s hunger & nutrition

++

++

 Mother’s priorities

++

+

 Mother’s sexual relationships

+

+

Mother’s stress

++++B

+

Mothers’ knowledge, attitudes & practices of breastfeeding

Benefits of breastfeeding

–

+++E

 Conventional medicines for babies

+++

++

 Expressing breastmilk

+

+

 Foods to make or increase breastmilk

+

++

 Frequency and duration of breastfeeding

+

+

 Information on infant feeding

+

+

Mixed feeding

++++B

+

 Positioning and latching

+

+

Family environment

 Advice from elders

+

+

Home setting

++++B

+++E

 Food at home

+

+

 Relationship with the father of the child

+

+

Social environment

Health professionals

++

++E

 Breastfeeding seen as low social status

+

–

 Breastfeeding in public

+

+

Public spaces & places (malls, taxis, other people)

+++B

+

 Traditional beliefs & practices

+

+

 Work environment

+

+

Baby cues

 Baby does not want to or struggles to breastfeed

+

–

 Baby full

+

+

Baby’s health

++

++E

 Baby not full

++

+

 Baby bonding & love

+

+

 Baby crying

+

+

 Baby breastfeeding frequently

+

–

 Baby’s growth & development

+

+

 Baby sleeping longer or better

+

+

Baby stomach ailments

++B

+

 Baby upset or unsettled by mother’s emotions

+

–

  1. *Frequency counts based on ATLAS.ti - Fq counts*: 0 = −, 1–20 = +; 21–40 = ++, 41–60 = +++, > 60 = ++++
  2. B = Highest count for barrier and E = highest count for enabler