Abstract
Peer-support is recommended by the World Health Organisation for the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding, and this recommendation is included in UK guidance. There is a lack of information about how, when and where breastfeeding peer-support is provided in the UK. We aimed to generate an overview of how peer-support is delivered in the UK and to gain an understanding of challenges for implementation. We surveyed all UK Infant Feeding Coordinators (n=696) who were part of UK based national Infant Feeding Networks, covering 177 NHS organisations. We received 136 responses (individual response rate 19.5%), covering 102 UK NHS organisations (organisational response rate 58%). We also searched NHS organisation websites to obtain data on the presence of breastfeeding peer-support. Breastfeeding peer-support was available in 56% of areas. However, coverage within areas was variable. The provision of training and ongoing supervision, and peer-supporter roles, varied significantly between services. Around one third of respondents felt that breastfeeding peer-support services were not well integrated with NHS health services. Financial issues were commonly reported to have a negative impact on service provision. One quarter of respondents stated that breastfeeding peer-support was not accessed by mothers from poorer social backgrounds. Overall, there was marked variation in the provision of peer-support services for breastfeeding in the UK. A more robust evidence-base is urgently needed to inform guidance on the structure and provision of breastfeeding peer-support services.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 12476 |
Journal | Maternal and Child Nutrition |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 7 Jul 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Funding InformationNational Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment. Grant Number: 13/18/05
Keywords
- breastfeeding
- breastfeeding support
- breastfeeding training
- health professional
- infant feeding
- survey methods