Table 3.

Proportion of participants identifying each theme and subtheme.

Theme	Subtheme	N	%
1. Challenges of breastfeeding a sick child	Additional breastfeeding support required Difficult breastfeeding Breast problems Enteral feeding Expressing Fatigue Fluid charts and balance Milk supply problems and anxiety	10 26 9 11 16 14 11 12	33.3 86.6 30 36.6 53.3 46.6 36.6 40
2. Importance of breastfeeding a sick child	Breastfeeding feels like a buffer Breastfeeding for comfort Breastfeeding as a parenting tool Maternal motivation as a buffer	18 24 13 16	60 80 43.3 53.3
3. Psychological impacts of persevering with breastfeeding a sick child	Difficult emotions/guilt/conflict Disempowerment/doubting themselves Loneliness Poor care has put them off seeking help Trauma and distress Vigilance	13 11 6 6 7 7	43.3 36.6 20 20 23.3 23.3
4. How breastfeeding a sick child impacts parenting and family life	Bedsharing Change in breastfeeding behaviour is a sign Difficult choices and juggling Impact on family Intuition Responsive parenting not supported	24 15 14 9 10 17	80 50 46.6 30 33.3 56.6
5. Ward environment and equipment	Covid made things harder Food provision and basic needs Furniture/pillows PICU Privacy Pumps	13 23 9 4 17 14	43.3 76.6 30 13.3 56.6 46.6
6. Lack of skills and knowledge	Advice didn't meet needs Breastfeeding assessment Feed schedules and rules Formula Inaccurate/inadequate information/errors Procedures	19 20 7 12 14 10	63.3 66.6 23.3 40 46.6 33.3
7. Ward culture and staff attitude	Ambivalence from staff Awkwardness Breastfeeding is inconvenient to staff Encouragement/kindness Helpful BF interventions Hero Hostile/lack of compassion/outrageous comments Ignored by staff Love for the National Health Service (NHS) Staff interaction Support not provided	20 6 8 13 15 9 14 5 10 10 23	66.6 20 26.6 43.3 50 30 46.6 16.6 33.3 33.3 76.6