Perception of breastfeeding mothers’ perceptions of donating breast milk for nutritional

Abstract Background: Rapid advancements in technology have improved the premature survival rate globally. However, the majority of neonatal deaths occur in third-world countries during the neonatal period due to infections and complications. Vulnerablepremature infants need to meet basic nutritional needs, such as breast milk. Research aim: We aimed to explore mothers’ perceptions ofdonating breast milk fornutrition vis-à-vis research and nurses as a facilitator of donation. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was conducted in 2022 with breastfeeding mothers and nurses as facilitators atJigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Bhutan. Results:The findings concerningdonation for nutrition werefavorable and revealed the importance and benefits of donation, current practices related to breastfeeding and motives for sharing. Unfavorable conditions includedfear of pathogen transmission; unfavorable experiences with donating; cultural practices; family pressure; and undecided-no experience. The study identified the enablers and barriers perceived by breastfeeding mothers for donating breast milk for research purposes. The benefits that the research can offer for infant survival were enabler, while sociocultural and religious beliefs wereconsidered barriers to donation. The nurses who facilitated donation were involved in the current practice of breastfeeding, the importance of breastfeeding and its technique, and the consent process. Barriers to internal factors include difficulty communicating, beliefs, research hesitancy and disadvantages in research use. The external factor includes beliefs. Nurses toward research had advantages and essential qualities. Conclusions: Breastfeeding mothers were aware of the importance of donation as a source of nutrition, and these research outcomes could also be beneficial to society. As facilitators, nurses who obtainverbal consent during the donation process and research could improvethe clinical field. Establishing ahuman milk bank is necessary.