Status : Verified
| Personal Name | Cachola, Carmela Simone T. |
|---|---|
| Resource Title | Clothing needs of Filipino breastfeeding mothers |
| Date Issued | 30 May 2025 |
| Abstract | Breastfeeding imposes unique demands on a mother's daily routine, physical body, and social behavior, making clothing a key factor in supporting comfort, confidence, and mobility. Globally, breastfeeding-friendly systems and environments are already gaining traction, but clothing remains a neglected aspect in maternal care. In the Philippines, cultural expectations around modesty and limited access to affordable nursing wear intensify mothers' challenges. With this trend, clothing is becoming a functional concern as well as a social and emotional one. Using a qualitative research design, this study explored the clothing needs of Filipino mothers across five key areas: daily activities, clothing-related challenges, functional and aesthetic preferences, decision-making factors, and perceptions of cost and accessibility as influenced by their postpartum and breastfeeding experiences. In-depth interviews with fifteen (15) participants revealed that breastfeeding shaped mothers' daily activities centered around their baby's feeding and sleeping patterns, requiring clothing that supports multitasking, quick feeding access, and modesty in public. Clothing needs and preferences also leaned toward soft fabrics, discreet openings, and layered designs that promote comfort, ease, and mobility. Participants' dissatisfaction with their appearance stemming from weight gain and unwanted body changes often led them to avoid wearing ill-fitting, revealing, or tight-fitting clothes they used to wear before pregnancy. In contrast, functional and flattering garments helped improve their confidence and encouraged greater social engagement. However, these types of clothing are relatively inaccessible due to limited local availability, poor size diversity, and outdated designs. These findings emphasize the importance of inclusive clothing design that supports breastfeeding mothers physically, socially, and emotionally. |
| Degree Course | Bachelor of Clothing Technology |
| Language | English |
| Keyword | Breastfeeding; Breastfeeding mothers; Clothing needs; Maternity clothing; Maternal care; Breastfeeding—Philippines; Mothers—Social conditions |
| Material Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
Preliminary Pages
617.51 Kb
Category : F - Regular work, i.e., it has no patentable invention or creation, the author does not wish for personal publication, there is no confidential information.
Access Permission : Open Access