{
  "abstract": "Background Despite the health benefits, just 3% of Gypsy and Traveller infants receive breastmilk.Methods This study took place in June–July 2024 and involved semistructured interviews with seven Gypsy and Traveller women. It presents a grounded theory interpretation of the barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding infants that they perceive and experience.Results Four main barriers are presented: breastfeeding in front of others is prohibited; an aversion to breastfeeding; reduced awareness of the health benefits; and limited skills to breastfeed and being overlooked. Four main facilitators are presented: breastmilk is thought to be healthier than formula; an awareness that attitudes to breastfeeding are outdated; determination and resourcefulness to breastfeed; and a new theoretical concept, that partners will support women to breastfeed.Conclusion Recommendations include ensuring that Gypsy and Traveller women and their partners are offered an antenatal contact with a midwife and health visitor to discuss the health benefits of breastfeeding and how to express breastmilk as well as breastfeed; collaboration with Gypsy and Traveller advocates to facilitate environmental change to enable breastfeeding; and further ethnographic research to understand the Gypsy and Traveller culture.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Specialist Community Public Health Nurse/Health Visiting, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Bridgend, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Sarah Parry"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Health and Society, University of Wolverhampton, Faculty of Education Health and Wellbeing, Walsall, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Jennifer Nyuk Wo Lim"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Exploring barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding infants among Gypsies and Travellers in Wales: a qualitative study",
  "uid": "078c9575-ff32-5f80-bf8f-dd646ee95aef"
}