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The process of implementing a community-based peer breast-feeding support programme: the Glasgow experience
1Research Midwife, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Glasgow, UK. rjmilu@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Aim:
to document the process of implementing and maintaining a community-based peer-support programme.
Design And Setting:
a community-based study located in a socio-economically disadvantaged housing estate on the outskirts of Glasgow.
Participants:
pregnant women residing in a target postcode area.
Intervention:
a programme of peer counselling and support for breast feeding, comprising antenatal and postnatal home visits over a period of three years.
Implications For Practice:
peer support may provide an acceptable and appropriate role model for breast-feeding mothers. However, further research is required on other influential factors such as the social network and the impact of this programme on the peer supporter.
Conclusions:
despite a low prevalence of breast feeding, initiating and maintaining peer breast-feeding support was possible. Peer support appeared to be acceptable to mothers and health professionals. Study mothers spoke enthusiastically of the intervention and mentioned increased confidence and self-esteem.