The body experiences of the baby sling among women in modern Taiwan

33^rd Nursing and Healthcare Congress

October 23-25, 2017 | Toronto, Canada

Wan Shiuan Lin

National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Adv Practice Nurs

Abstract :

Healthcare providers recognize the important role played by attachment theory in explaining the close relationship between mental health and social behavior in mothers and children. It was noticed that baby slings might promote this close relationship through direct skin to skin contact. However, the mother's emotional labor was ignored. The purpose of this study was to explore the body experiences of the baby sling in modern Taiwan. Ethnographic interviews, moderate participant observations and the document analysis were adapted from August 2014 to the end of March 2015. The interview with seven mothers who had experiences using the baby slings and their daily life was observed. Data were analyzed using this constant comparison method. The results of this study highlight tow main themes: (1) Preparing to be a mother for the precious newborn: Healthcare providers promote using baby slings to the further medicalization of breastfeeding and enhance mother-infant attachment under the influence of fewer children, National Breastfeeding Policies and tainted Chinese milk powder in modern Taiwan. It is important for mothers to know how to use the attachment theory-based baby slings to achieve the scientific motherhood. (2) The performances of the body images and selfdisciplines: Contrary to expectation, mothers interpret more negative body images. The healthcare providers persuade women to try other baby slings and enhance operational techniques. The disciplinary practices increase mothers' self-discipline. The more gender identities of childcare are performed in the modern women�s experiences using baby slings. Implications for the nursing practice, education and policy are suggested.