Mothers' experiences of unwanted early cessation of breastfeeding: a scoping review.

Abstract

Many mothers intend to breastfeed but stop earlier than planned, despite strong public health recommendations from the World Health Organisation promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Although early cessation is widespread, it remains poorly understood, particularly regarding how mothers experience stopping earlier than intended and how these experiences shape their sense of self, identity, and motherhood. Existing research has primarily focused on prevalence and predictors, with less attention to mothers' lived experiences. This scoping review aimed to map existing knowledge of mothers' experiences of unwanted early cessation of breastfeeding. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. A comprehensive search was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase in June 2024, updated in July 2025 and updated again in June 2026. Reference lists and citations of relevant studies were also screened to ensure comprehensive coverage. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings were synthesised into three overarching themes: (1) The Ideal of the 'Good Mother' Under Pressure, (2) Existential Consequences Arising from Breastfeeding Difficulties, and (3) Insufficient Support Undermining Breastfeeding. Across the included studies, mothers described a pronounced gap between expectations and lived experiences, often accompanied by guilt, shame, and a pervasive sense of failure. Early cessation was not merely a practical outcome but a deeply emotional, identity-shaping event. These experiences were frequently intensified by perceived inadequacies in professional support, including a lack of individualised, consistent, and empathetic care, as well as conflicting advice from healthcare professionals. Unwanted early cessation of breastfeeding is a complex, emotionally significant experience that extends beyond feeding practices. This review offers a comprehensive overview of how mothers experience early cessation and highlights the need for breastfeeding support that is not only clinically and technically competent but also emotionally attuned and responsive to mothers' needs. Recognising the existential and identity-related dimensions of early cessation may contribute to more responsive postnatal care and better support for mothers navigating this transition.