<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<sec id="j_jmotherandchild.20212504.d-21-00020_s_008"><h3>Background</h3>
<p>The aim of the study was to get to know polish women’s opinions and experiences regarding breastfeeding in public.</p></sec>
<sec id="j_jmotherandchild.20212504.d-21-00020_s_009"><h3>Material and methods</h3>
<p>A one-time 11-question survey aimed at women during lactation or breastfeeding in the past who completed a paper questionnaire or online questionnaire on the website (<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="http://www.laktacja.pl">www.laktacja.pl).</ext-link> The study was conducted electronically from 1 September 2019 to 31 March 2020 in Maternity and Neonatal Departments, primary health-care clinics in various Polish cities. Data from 700 questionnaires were statistically analysed with the use of Pearson’s chi-squared test of independency or Fisher’s exacts test when applicable (small cell counts).</p>
</sec>
<sec id="j_jmotherandchild.20212504.d-21-00020_s_010"><h3>Results</h3>
<p>90% of the surveyed women expressed the opinion that it should be possible to breastfeed in public, and 78% of women have had such an experience. Most often it was their own cars, a room for a mother and child, a hall or just a place available when there was a need to feed the child (e.g., a bench, cafe, toilet). About 10% of women faced criticism while breastfeeding in a public place, and 8.6% of women have never breastfed the child out of the house due to the lack of proper place and conditions, embarrassment and no sympathy from other people.</p>
</sec>
<sec id="j_jmotherandchild.20212504.d-21-00020_s_011"><h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Taking into account the benefits of long-term breastfeeding and the comfort of breastfeeding women, their children and the environment, it is necessary to create dedicated places for breastfeeding in public places.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Background
The aim of the study was to get to know polish women’s opinions and experiences regarding breastfeeding in public.
Material and methods
A one-time 11-question survey aimed at women during lactation or breastfeeding in the past who completed a paper questionnaire or online questionnaire on the website (www.laktacja.pl). The study was conducted electronically from 1 September 2019 to 31 March 2020 in Maternity and Neonatal Departments, primary health-care clinics in various Polish cities. Data from 700 questionnaires were statistically analysed with the use of Pearson’s chi-squared test of independency or Fisher’s exacts test when applicable (small cell counts).

Results
90% of the surveyed women expressed the opinion that it should be possible to breastfeed in public, and 78% of women have had such an experience. Most often it was their own cars, a room for a mother and child, a hall or just a place available when there was a need to feed the child (e.g., a bench, cafe, toilet). About 10% of women faced criticism while breastfeeding in a public place, and 8.6% of women have never breastfed the child out of the house due to the lack of proper place and conditions, embarrassment and no sympathy from other people.

Conclusion
Taking into account the benefits of long-term breastfeeding and the comfort of breastfeeding women, their children and the environment, it is necessary to create dedicated places for breastfeeding in public places.

Perception and practice of breastfeeding in public in Poland

Journal of Mother and Child

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Perception and practice of breastfeeding in public in Poland"}

Background
The aim of the study was to get to know polish women’s opinions and experiences regarding breastfeeding in public.
Material and methods
A one-time...

Perception and practice of breastfeeding in public in Poland

Article Category: Original Research

Published Online: Jun 09, 2022

Page range: 277 - 284

Received: Aug 30, 2021

Accepted: Feb 22, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20212504.d-21-00020

Keywords
breastfeeding, public places, acceptance

© 2022 Justyna Grzyb et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Perception and practice of breastfeeding in public in Poland

Article Category: Original Research

Published Online: Jun 09, 2022

Page range: 277 - 284

Received: Aug 30, 2021

Accepted: Feb 22, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20212504.d-21-00020

Keywordsbreastfeeding, public places, acceptance

© 2022 Justyna Grzyb et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
breastfeeding, public places, acceptance