Table 2.

Excerpts from app diary entries related to breastfeeding – demonstrating data depth and range

Content area	Participant examples
Physical problems	•‘Nipple pain: We've had what I feel is a serious setback, personally. I have been trying to feed [son] with the best latch I can, but in the last 24 hr some nipple problems have arisen. Last night I had a long feeding session, after which my nipple was very compressed and radiated pain. He must have stayed on too long?…I couldn't get an appt today since it's New Year's Eve, but I was able to speak to a lactation consultant on the phone. She advised to get a deeper latch whenever possible and to watch closely for his swallows‐‐once he stops eating, take him off the nipple so he's not nibbling. I am very discouraged by this nipple damage…Am I doing permanent damage? How is this ever going to heal if I keep feeding constantly? It feels like never‐ending problems sometimes.’
	•‘Emptiness revisited: My breasts still regularly feel empty near the end of the day, and combined with the end‐of‐the‐day pain, it makes me concerned [son] is not getting enough to eat before bed. …we have continued with a supplement [of expressed breast milk] at the end of the day. We'll discuss at our one‐month checkup if this is still necessary and then adjust our approach accordingly.’
	•‘Leaking milk: Breastfeeding is going well, and I'm happy for that but my milk is coming in and I'm leaking everywhere. It's frustrating that even with shells and pads I'm still having to change shirts and sometimes pants multiple times a day because of the leaking. I'm hoping everything regulates that this will go away. If I continue having problems I think I'll call the lactation consultant back and see what she recommends.’
Summarization, evaluation, and classification	•‘Breastfeeding is going very well‐no problems.’
	•‘Groove: We have been in a groove the last few days and it feels great. Feeding is now pain free…’
	•‘Thoughts: Today was better than yesterday for the most part. Good feedings and sleep during the day. Cluster feeding in the evening and night (very exhausting and rough)’
	•‘[Son] is doing really well with breastfeeding. I started pumping after morning feed so that my husband can do one of the nighttime feedings. Overall, I expected this to be harder than it is for us.’
	•‘Another hard day: [son] isn't himself. He is spitting up more now [after breastfeeding] than he was even the other day…This is not what I thought his first three weeks of life would be like. I feel so bad.’
Personal meaning/emotional investment	•‘I'm looking forward to [the lactation consultant's] advice because breastfeeding is something I love doing for [my daughter]’
	•‘Compliment: Some of our friends came over and I was nursing at the time. I put my cover on and went out in front of them. I wasn't sure beforehand how I would feel about it, but it was really no big deal. They didn't seem to be uncomfortable and I really didn't care even if they were. One of them texted me later and [said] she was so impressed with how much of a pro I looked like doing that. I thought that was super sweet and made me feel good!…’
	•‘A little sad: The doctor told me yesterday to start introducing a bottle [of expressed breast milk] to [my son]. It's not to stop breastfeeding or giving him my milk, but that it was time to get him used to the idea [of a bottle]. I don't know exactly why, but it made me a little sad.’
	•‘…[Cluster feeding] is a long cycle. It can be frustrating but I know it's important to keep on going! I want what is best for my little boy, that's what keeps me going!’
Breastfeeding status/activities	•‘MILK CAME IN!’
	•‘Right breast started to leak when nursing left [breast] so switched sides. Wasn't sure what to do’
	•‘Not much swallowing’
	•‘Had to pump 5 min on left side bc I was sore & he wouldn't wake up enough to eat.’
	•‘Was being fussy and I offered a bottle before breast’
	•‘Supplement‐only pumped two oz of breast milk! He usually needs 3 oz to fill him up.’
	•‘We did try breastfeeding 1 more time, he did latch on and suckled. He didn't latch on properly. I stopped him and switched to the bottle. He wouldn't even latch on to the left breast. Breastfeeding just wasn't meant to be this time.’
Interpretation of infant's breastfeeding behaviour	•‘Breast feeding is going good. Yes, he looks satisfied. I can hear him swallow every time he breast feeds. He enjoys breastfeeding.’
	•‘Know when he is done: …I am still trying to figure [out when to feed son]. I also am having trouble figuring out when he is done. Sometimes I think he is but then he screams so we go back to the breast and he is happy.’
	•‘Fed a lot more than usual today. Growth spurt? I'm exhausted.’
	•‘I feel like [breastfeeding] keeps getting harder and harder. But I keep trying and I feel like [son] likes formula better than breast. He gets so mad when I put him on my breast, he likes the bottle nipple better.’
	•‘[Son] was very fussy & gassy tonight. Wonder what I ate that bothered him?!?!’
Cultural and system barriers	•‘Milk in: Milk came in yesterday and [infant] has been feeding well. I didn't realize how big/firm it would make my breasts and was worried at first about engorgement…Wish that's something I had known about to better prepare for…had to run to Target today to buy sleep nursing bras. No mother wants to make a trip to Target with a 5 day old at home. Feel like I could have been better prepared for this.’
	•‘Nursing: So I had to nurse in a restaurant bathroom last night. I actually stood in one of their stalls. How is it that its 2015 and that was my only option. I feel like society is a total hypocrite. They say how great nursing is and everything and I agree, but nobody supports us. People look at you like you are a three headed monster. It really disappoints me.’

Note: Some entries are edited for length.