Healthcare providers' perceptions of breastfeeding peer counselors in the neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

In this qualitative descriptive study we examined the perceptions of 17 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) healthcare providers (nurses, neonatologists, lactation consultants, and dietitians) about the role of breastfeeding peer counselors who were mothers of former NICU infants and who provided primary lactation care in the NICU. Findings revealed that the healthcare providers respected the peer counselors’ lactation expertise and identified three critical elements that contributed to the effectiveness of the peer counseling program: having a champion for the program, counselors being mothers of former NICU infants, and a NICU culture supportive of using human milk. Healthcare providers thought the peer counselors enhanced care of the infant by empowering mothers to provide milk and by facilitating and modeling positive patterns of maternal-infant interactions.

Building social capital through breastfeeding peer support: insights from an evaluation of a voluntary breastfeeding peer support service in North-West England

“…For example, through bridging and linking the peer supporters were able to gain access to, and form ‘bonds’ with women; as well as how ‘bonds’ formed with women and professionals subsequently enabled links and connections to be forged with wider community members. The findings of this study are supported by previous literature in terms of the nature and importance of peer-woman and mother-to-mother relationships [ 9 , 70 - 72 ], and the value as well as tensions that can exist in peer-professional relationships [ 4 , 73 - 78 ]. To our knowledge this is the first study that has specifically considered how breastfeeding peer support service can build social capital in a community.…”

Guidelines for Family-Centered Care in the Neonatal, Pediatric, and Adult ICU

“…There are four studies of a single intervention of peer-to-peer support in the neonatal ICU. Three (131)(132)(133) are descriptive, qualitative studies of small convenience samples in a single site that describe perceptions of health professionals (132) or mothers (131,133) receiving a peer-topeer counseling about breast feeding infants in the neonatal ICU. The mothers felt supported and satisfied to work with the peer counselors who had experienced themselves the difficulties of providing milk and breastfeeding in the neonatal ICU setting (131) and most ranked the peer support as most important for development of their maternal role in the neonatal ICU (133).…”

“…These interventions, particularly peer-to-peer support, have low cost and low risk, with the suggestion of possible benefit. Qualitative research suggests that families value peer support in neonatal ICU (131)(132)(133).…”

Supporting Breastfeeding to Reduce Newborn Readmissions for Hyperbilirubinemia

“…Due to shorter hospital stays for women and the heavy workload of nurses, time management is essential in the facilitation of proper breastfeeding; for this reason, nurses should use peer counselors to provide mothers additional support (Rossman, Engstrom, & Meier, ). Peer counselors are those who have experienced successful breastfeeding, undergone formal training and possess a unique understanding of the environmental and cultural barriers that are relevant to the women whom they are assisting (Chapman, Morel, Anderson, Damio, & Perez‐Escamilla, ).…”

“…individualized guidance and support will need to continue in the family's home or community (Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, 2008). Due to shorter hospital stays for women and the heavy workload of nurses, time management is essential in the facilitation of proper breastfeeding; for this reason, nurses should use peer counselors to provide mothers additional support (Rossman, Engstrom, & Meier, 2012). Peer counselors are those who have experienced successful breastfeeding, undergone formal training and possess a unique understanding of own attitudes and beliefs about breastfeeding to provide the appropriate care for these dyads (U.S. DHHS, 2011).…”