The majority of studies on breastfeeding consists of descriptive correlational studies identifying the incidence and correlates of breastfeeding. The theory of planned behavior has been shown to yield great predictive power for behavioral goals over which individuals have only limited control such as improving school grades and weight loss. The purpose of this study was to test the "theory of planned behavior" in the prediction of breastfeeding of mothers who delivered vaginally. One hundred mothers who delivered vaginally in one general hospital in Seoul and one general hospital and three private hospitals in Taejeon participated in this study. The instruments used for data collection in this study were developed by the researchers following the guidelines suggested by Ajzen and Fishbein(1980) and Ajzen and Madden(1986). The instruments included measurement of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and intention. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation, hierachical multiple regression and logistic regression. The results are as follows : 1. Intention to breastfeed correlated significantly with attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control. Both attitude and subjective norm did not make a significant contribution to the prediction of intention, but the addition of perceived behavioral control to the regression equation greatly improved the model's predictive power, increasing the R(2) from .05 to .52. 2. Intention to breastfeed alone had a significant predictive effect on actual breastfeeding, resulting in a regression coefficient of .16(x2=8.60, p<.01), but when perceived behavioral control was added to the equation, intention was not a significant predictive variable and only perceived behavioral control showed significant predictive power on actual breastfeeding, resulting in a regression coefficient of .12(x2=4.68, p<.05). In sum, breastfeeding behavior lent only partial support to the second version of the theory of planned to the second version of the theory of planned behavior, and because perceived behavioral control had a strong effect on intention to breastfeed and actual breastfeeding, it would be desirable to develop nursing intervention programs which focus on strengthening the perceived behavioral control for the promotion of breastfeeding.

The purpose of this study was to understand the subjective breastfeeding experience of primiparous women to identify how breastfeeding was started and to explore the process of breastfeeding. The Grounded theory methodology was used. Data was collected from 6 primiparous women who had breastfeed their infants for at least over 8 weeks, recently breastfeeding or having breatfeed their infants within the last 6 months. With the permission of the subjects, the interviews were recorded and transcribed. The data were analysed in the framework of grounded theory method as mapped out by Strauss and Corbin(1990). 105 concepts and 21 subcategories were of data analysis. In the process of data analysis, "Identity as a mother" was found to be the core phenomenon. The 21 sub-categories were as follows : natural food, neighbour inducement, self purpose, good feeling, tenderness, breast pain, change of breast shape, physical discomfort, loss of physical energy, confirmation of adhesion, one body through coupling, tie, capacity, role performance, mental comfort, healthy mother, healthy infant, confidence of breast milk, feeling of satisfaction. The sub-categories were again grouped into 14 categories including infant nutritious food, formation of breastfeeding opportunity, feeling of satisfaction, injury of the breast, physical suffering, awareness of mothering, formation of maternal affection, connecting, coupling, acceptance, effort, emotional stability, mother and child health and feeling of achievement.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric societies throughout the world recommend breastfeeding as the optimal form of infant nutrition. This recommendation is based on extensive epidemiologic research that documents the health, developmental, psychological, social, economic, and environmental benefits to infants, mothers, families, and society. The purpose of this study was to examine breastfeeding information and emotional support received by mothers prenatally, hospital breastfeeding practices, and the relationship between information and support received and breastfeeding initiation and planned feeding method post discharge from the hospital.
METHODS
A 36-item questionnaire was distributed during the Spring 2000 to mothers who delivered babies at maternity centers in Seoul, South Korea. A sample of 52 mothers was surveyed at the time of hospital discharge. The questionnaire was developed based on the literature and reviewed by experts including internationally board certified lactation consultants, a nutritionist, and perinatal nurses. The survey instrument consists of five components: sociodemographic information, breastfeeding information received by mothers prenatally, emotional support regarding the mothers' infant feeding choice, breastfeeding initiation and supplementation, and hospital breastfeeding practices.
RESULTS
Fifty-two breastfeeding mothers at three hospitals completed the survey. The majority of the mothers were 26 to 35 years of age, college graduates, married, had uncomplicated vaginal or planned cesarean deliveries, and primiparas. Forty-nine mothers responded that they decided to breastfeed during their pregnancy. Mothers reported that the information they received during pregnancy was provided primarily by their mothers, or friends and other relatives. The majority of mothers reported that others influenced their infant-feeding decision. Forty mothers reported receiving emotional support for their infant feeding choice during their pregnancy with mothers or mothers-in-law and friends providing the greatest support.
DISCUSSION
Women obtain information prenatally about breastfeeding from many sources-family, friends, written materials, prenatal classes, and health care professionals. There are benefits and drawbacks to information received from multiple sources. Additionally, research has shown that a woman's infant-feeding decision is affected by the type of professional and social support the mother receives. Postpartum professional support for new breastfeeding mothers encompasses multiple dimensions ranging from a follow-up telephone call from the hospital nursing staff to referral to a community resource. Prenatal breastfeeding education on a community-wide basis can provide essential information for future mothers, families, and community support networks. Additional research needs to be done exploring the impact of prenatal, postpartum, and post-discharge support for women on breastfeeding initiation and duration rates.

The Purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of breastfeeding using a phenomenological research methodology. The sample consisted of 9 primiparous mothers who had breastfed their babies at least for 3 consecutive months. Data were collected from January 10 to February 28, 1998 through interviewing. The research question was "What was the meaning of breastfeeding to breastfeeding mothers?" Responses to non-structured open-ended question was audio-recorded during the interview. Data were analyzed using the phenomenological method of Colazzi. From the protocols, significant statements about meaning of breastfeeding were clustered into 8 themes. Mothers perceived meaning of breastfeeding as feeling of unification through tie, expression of love, gift, nutritional supplement, duty as a mother, nurturing, mystery, and identity. From the results of this study, breastfeeding mothers perceived breastfeeding positively, so nurses need to encourage mothers to breastfeed her baby and develop program which can promote successful breastfeeding.