Table 1.

Framework development for qualitative data analysis

A priori framework	Data‐driven factor	Adapted framework for data analysis
Breastfeeding practices • breastfeeding initiation • breastfeeding duration • complementary feeding (introduction of solids) ○ type of solid introduced	Breastfeeding practices • breastfeeding initiation • breastfeeding duration (by modes of breastfeeding) • breastfeeding duration (total) • complementary feeding ○ type of solids introduced ○ time to introduce solids • strategies to encourage breastfeeding	Breastfeeding practices • breastfeeding initiation • breastfeeding duration (by modes of breastfeeding) • breastfeeding duration (total) • complementary feeding (introduction of solids) ○ type of solids introduced ○ time to introduce solids • strategies to encourage breastfeeding
Beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of breastfeeding • knowledge ○ benefits ○ lack of knowledge • beliefs ○ reasons for choosing breastfeeding/how belief influences choice ○ milk sufficiency • attitudes ○ breastfeeding in public ○ breastfeeding and physical appearance ○ breastfeeding and attachment	Beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of breastfeeding • knowledge of ○ benefits of breastfeeding ○ exclusive breastfeeding • beliefs ○ reasons for choosing breastfeeding ○ optimal duration of breastfeeding ○ milk sufficiency ○ colostrum ○ water • attitudes ○ breastfeeding in public ○ the use of breast pumps ○ advice and information	Beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of breastfeeding • knowledge ○ exclusive breastfeeding ○ benefits of breastfeeding • beliefs ○ reasons for choosing breastfeeding ○ optimal duration of breastfeeding ○ milk sufficiency ○ colostrum ○ water • attitudes ○ breastfeeding in public ○ the use of breast pumps ○ advice and information
Influence of socio‐demographics, economic, and cultural factors on infant feeding • socio‐demographics ○ income and finance ○ education level ○ employment ○ acculturation • cultural factors ○ traditional beliefs ▪ special diets and health	Influence of socio‐demographics, economic, and cultural factors on infant feeding • socio‐demographics ○ migration and acculturation ○ employment status ○ family demands • cultural factors ○ desire for big baby • economic factors ○ income status	Influence of socio‐demographics, economic, and cultural factors on infant feeding • socio‐demographics ○ migration and acculturation ○ employment status ○ family demands • cultural factors ○ desire for big baby • economic factors ○ income status
Family support and influence of husbands and grandparents on infant‐feeding method • husbands influence • grandparents influence • mothers' responses to support	Family support • support from husbands • support from mothers (infants' grandmother) • support from other female friends and family • mothers' responses to these support	Support system • support from friends and family ○ grandmothers ○ husbands ○ other female friends and family • support from health professionals • mothers' responses to support
Support from health professionals	Support from health professionals
Not applicable	Perception of health professionals about the breastfeeding experiences of African immigrant mothers	Perception of health professionals about the breastfeeding experiences of African immigrant mothers.

Note. Themes were adapted from existing a priori framework and emergent data from studies included in the review and developed into a final framework used in the qualitative data synthesis. Themes that were present in the a priori framework and absent from the studies included in the review were not included in the final framework used in the synthesis.