A qualitative exploration of breastfeeding support groups in Ireland from the women's perspectives

2020

Preprint

Background In Australia, during the early establishment phase of breastfeeding, women can access telephone peer support counselling provided by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) however options for face-to-face peer support are limited. The known factors which improve ongoing and exclusive breastfeeding include face-to-face support, peer and/or professional support, and trained personnel. This study aimed to examine women’s experiences of accessing one breastfeeding drop-in peer support service provided by trained peer support volunteer counsellors from the ABA.Methods Women who accessed the service were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey which collected both quantitative and qualitative data. Participants were asked about their experiences of breastfeeding support, as well as their experiences of the drop-in service. In total, 53 women completed the online survey, and subsequent analysis generated descriptive statistics and qualitative themes.Findings Responses to the survey revealed that women attended the drop-in lounge with infants ranging in age from less than 1 week through to 12 months of age. Most women reported attending with infants aged 0-8 weeks of age 72% (n37). The predominant presenting problems identified were sore/damaged nipples, difficulties with infant latching to the breast, or concerns about using nipple shields. Analysis of the open text qualitative responses revealed one overarching theme ‘Support to continue breastfeeding’ and four subthemes: ‘feeling listened to and not judged’; ‘emotional support and confidence building’; ‘the importance of face-to-face, practical support'; and ‘the need for ongoing, free access’.Discussion In this study many women were seeking support for ongoing breastfeeding difficulties. Some were referred to health professional’s for investigation of restricted tongue movement. Health professionals who had limited breastfeeding knowledge and skills were identified as most unhelpful in providing support with ongoing breastfeeding difficulties. Women valued having access to trained peer counsellors, who had the capacity to provide non-judgemental, face-to-face support; who could sit through a feed; in a space that was ‘safe’; and who could enhance a woman’s confidence with breastfeeding over the course of her full breastfeeding journey.Conclusion Women described the importance of access to a reactive drop-in service which was dedicated to breastfeeding support and which was available in response to need.

Section: Face To Face Non-judgemental Reactive Peer Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Face To Face Non-judgemental Reactive Peer Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Feeling Listened To In a Safe Spacementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Reactive breastfeeding support at an Australian Breastfeeding Association drop-in service

2020

Preprint

“…Quinn and colleagues, in their study of women's experience of breastfeeding support groups, also identi ed the importance of a 'safe' space to access support [27]. Having a service which women could return to as often as they liked, which was 'safe', and which was con dence enhancing rather than demoralising, offering choices rather than prescriptive advice, was highly valued by women.…”

Section: Feeling Listened To In a Safe Spacementioning

confidence: 99%

Breastfeeding support at an Australian Breastfeeding Association drop-in service: a descriptive survey

2020

Preprint

BackgroundIn Australia, during the early establishment phase of breastfeeding, women can access telephone peer support counselling provided by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) however options for face-to-face peer support are limited. The known factors which improve ongoing and exclusive breastfeeding include face-to-face support, peer and/or professional support, and trained personnel. This study aimed to examine women’s experiences of accessing one breastfeeding drop-in peer support service provided by trained peer support volunteer counsellors from the ABA.MethodsWomen who accessed the service were invited, in 2014, to participate in an anonymous online survey which collected both quantitative and qualitative data. Participants were asked about their experiences of breastfeeding support, as well as their experiences of the drop-in service. In total, 53 women completed the online survey, and subsequent analysis generated descriptive statistics and qualitative themes.ResultsResponses to the survey revealed that women attended the drop-in service with infants ranging in age from less than 1 week through to 12 months of age. Most women reported attending with infants aged 0-8 weeks of age (72%). The predominant presenting problems identified were sore/damaged nipples, difficulties with infant latching to the breast, or concerns about using nipple shields. Analysis of the open text qualitative responses revealed one overarching theme ‘Support to continue breastfeeding’ and four subthemes: ‘feeling listened to and not judged’; ‘emotional support and confidence building’; ‘the importance of face-to-face, practical support'; and ‘the need for ongoing, free access’.DiscussionIn this study many women were seeking support for ongoing breastfeeding difficulties. Health professionals who had limited breastfeeding knowledge and skills were identified as most unhelpful in providing support with ongoing breastfeeding difficulties. Women valued having access to trained peer counsellors, who had the capacity to provide non-judgemental, face-to-face support; who could sit through a feed; in a space that was ‘safe’; and who could enhance a woman’s confidence with breastfeeding over the course of her full breastfeeding journey.ConclusionReactive peer support, provided in response to need, at an Australian Breastfeeding Association drop-in service, was described by participants as pivotal to enabling their ongoing breastfeeding.

“…This form of support has been well established as positively impacting on breastfeeding rates [25] and satisfaction with support [26]. However, there have been debates over whether breastfeeding peer support is as effective when provided over the telephone [27] or face to face [28].…”

Section: Inadequate Health Professional Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breastfeeding support at an Australian Breastfeeding Association drop-in service: a descriptive survey

2020

Preprint

Background In Australia, during the early establishment phase of breastfeeding, women can access telephone peer support counselling provided by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) however options for face-to-face peer support are limited. The known factors which improve ongoing and exclusive breastfeeding include face-to-face support, peer and/or professional support, and trained personnel. This study aimed to examine women’s experiences of accessing one breastfeeding drop-in peer support service provided by trained peer support volunteer counsellors from the ABA. Methods Women who accessed the service were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey which collected both quantitative and qualitative data. Participants were asked about their experiences of breastfeeding support, as well as their experiences of the drop-in service. In total, 53 women completed the online survey, and subsequent analysis generated descriptive statistics and qualitative themes. Findings Responses to the survey revealed that women attended the drop-in service with infants ranging in age from less than 1 week through to 12 months of age. Most women reported attending with infants aged 0-8 weeks of age 72%. The predominant presenting problems identified were sore/damaged nipples, difficulties with infant latching to the breast, or concerns about using nipple shields. Analysis of the open text qualitative responses revealed one overarching theme ‘Support to continue breastfeeding’ and four subthemes: ‘feeling listened to and not judged’; ‘emotional support and confidence building’; ‘the importance of face-to-face, practical support'; and ‘the need for ongoing, free access’. Discussion In this study many women were seeking support for ongoing breastfeeding difficulties. Health professionals who had limited breastfeeding knowledge and skills were identified as most unhelpful in providing support with ongoing breastfeeding difficulties. Women valued having access to trained peer counsellors, who had the capacity to provide non-judgemental, face-to-face support; who could sit through a feed; in a space that was ‘safe’; and who could enhance a woman’s confidence with breastfeeding over the course of her full breastfeeding journey. Conclusion Women described the importance of access to a reactive style of drop-in service, in response to need, which was dedicated to breastfeeding support and which was available locally.