"They painted a rosy view, but I would have preferred to hear the reality"- Australian women's experiences of antenatal breastfeeding education

Background: Education is an essential component of antenatal care, yet little is known about Australian women's experience of breastfeeding education. Aim: This study aimed to explore women's experiences of breastfeeding education accessed during the antenatal period and the impact on breastfeeding preparedness. Methods: An online survey collected both qualitative and quantitative data over a one-month period. Quantitative data was analysed for descriptive statistics and open text questions were qualitatively analysed for themes. Findings: In total 182 participants accessed the survey and 178 completed. Most participants attended breastfeeding education at a public hospital. Some received education free of charge and others had to pay. Breastfeeding education was absent from some antenatal education classes and where it was included there was a lack of standardised content. The benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of skin-to-skin contact were covered regularly, but instructions on how to breastfeed were limited. Two overarching themes were identified. The first "I didn't feel prepared for breastfeeding" included six sub- themes describing a feeling of being deceived about how easy breastfeeding would be. The second smaller theme "I felt prepared for breastfeeding" reflected more positive experiences. Within this theme were three subthemes including the importance of a skilled educator, learning techniques and the educator's breastfeeding knowledge. Conclusion: Women described feeling unprepared for the reality of breastfeeding and sought realistic and practical breastfeeding education. Coverage of breastfeeding was inconsistent, especially breastfeeding challenges. Future policy guidelines on breastfeeding education must be consistent and include minimum information standards.