Qualitative exploration of the practices of, and attitudes towards breastfeeding, of perinatal women, in three anonymised UK prisons

The main themes found centred on high perceived frequency (PF) of breastfeeding and expressing in Mother and Baby Units (MBU), and the prison estate as both a barrier and facilitator. Stated duration ranged from 3-9 months. It was not possible to quantity breastfeeding duration rates for all the women, as most women were not asked about duration. Breastmilk was described as an important form of bonding.High PF was attributed to breastfeeding support groups. For some, the separation of being unable to reside with their babies in MBU, caused breast milk production to cease. Other barriers included lack of equipment to express breast milk