Table 3 Participant demographics and health behaviours
Pseudonym | Highest qualification | Parity (maternal age at birth (years)) | Gestation (weeks) at recruitment | Smoking/e-cigarette use/smokefree environment during pregnancy | Alcohol use during pregnancy | Infant feeding experiences and intentions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anna | NVQ 2 | 2 (23, 26) | 8 | Smoked on previous pregnancy, non-smoker during current pregnancy | Moderate* drinking during current pregnancy - “The odd one” | Attempted on first child, but moved to formula within first few days |
Plans to formula feed current baby | ||||||
Becky | NVQ 2 | 1 (22) | 18 | Prior to previous pregnancy was smoking 15–20/day. Changed to e-cigarette and has remained an e-cigarette user throughout current pregnancy | Almost abstinent during current pregnancy - Not generally, but would have a small amount on special occasion (eg: her birthday). | Combination fed first child |
Plans to attempt to breastfeed | ||||||
Drank moderately during previous pregnancies | ||||||
Cat | NVQ 1 | 1 (23) | 10 | Smoker during current pregnancy – 1-2 per day | Moderate alcohol consumption during current pregnancy - One or two drinks | Did not attempt to breastfeed first child |
Conflicted about whether to try to initiate breastfeeding. | ||||||
Donna | Degree | 2 (28, 30) | 20 | Non-smoker; partner is a non-smoker; avoids smokey environments | Abstinent during current pregnancy; generally drinks a small amount | Attempted on first child, but moved to formula ‘quite quick’. Breastfed second child for 11 months. |
Plans to breastfeed current baby | ||||||
Ellie | NVQ 2 | 1 (25) | 10 | Not discussed but home was not smokefree | Not discussed | Not fully discussed, but plans to buy a steriliser |
Fiona | None | 2 (17, 27) | 9 | Not discussed | Abstinent | Unclear how fed previous baby, but used a steriliser and bottle. |
Plans to formula feed current baby. | ||||||
Gaby | GCSEs | 3 (22, 24, 27) | 6 | Non-smoker | Abstinent – always abstinent | Tried to breastfeed three previous children (two quickly transitioned to formula; one breastfed for a month before transition to formula). |
Plans to formula feed current baby, but did state would try to initiate breastfeeding. | ||||||
Hayley | A Levels | 1 (29) | 29 | Non-smoker during current pregnancy – used to smoke | Abstinent during current pregnancy | Breastfed first baby for three months with one bottle of formula per day. |
Hopes to breastfeed current baby for at least two weeks. | ||||||
Almost abstinent during previous pregnancy would have a small amount on special occasion (eg: her birthday). | ||||||
Imogen | NVQ 2 | 1 (24) | 8 | non-smoker during current pregnancy | Abstinent during current pregnancy; Rarely drinks anyway | Not discussed, but had a traumatic birth and postnatal depression |
Jess | GCSEs | 0 | 11 | Smoker – unsuccessful quit attempt in current pregnancy; trying to cut down | Abstinent during current pregnancy | Will attempt to initiate breastfeeding; plans to combination feed |