Nurses’ support for breastfeeding mothers of hospitalized infants

Abstract

This study explores how nurses support breastfeeding among mothers whose infants are hospitalized, a subject area that remains essential to both infant and maternal health due to the well-established benefits of breastfeeding. Hospitalization often disrupts breastfeeding continuity, placing mothers in a vulnerable position where professional support becomes crucial. The aim of this review was to examine the forms of breastfeeding support nurses provide in hospital settings and to understand the contextual factors that influence this care. A systematic literature search was conducted across six major databases Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, PubMed, SAGE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar between 2015 and 2025, yielding 24,758 records, of which 22 studies met the criteria for inclusion. The material consisted of qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and review studies focusing on nursing support for breastfeeding within pediatric and neonatal hospital contexts. Data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis framework, drawing on concepts from family-centered care and breastfeeding support theory. The findings revealed four overarching patterns of nursing support: practical assistance with breastfeeding and milk expression; emotional and relational support that reduced maternal anxiety and strengthened maternal identity; educational guidance involving communication, feeding cues, and preparation for discharge; and advocacy and care coordination that promoted consistency in breastfeeding plans and collaboration among healthcare teams. While the evidence highlights nurses’ central role in sustaining breastfeeding during infant hospitalization, limitations were noted in the variability of study methods and inconsistencies in institutional support. Overall, the review concludes that strengthening evidence-based nursing practices and improving organizational structures are essential for enhancing breastfeeding outcomes for hospitalized infants and their mothers.