Increasing support for breastfeeding: what can Children's Centres do?
1Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. louise.condon@uwe.ac.uk
Health & Social Care in the Community
|May 7, 2011
Summary
Action research improved breastfeeding support in disadvantaged communities. Children
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Community Health
- Health Promotion
Background:
- Low breastfeeding rates in Britain, particularly in disadvantaged communities, contribute to health inequalities.
- Sure Start Children's Centres aim to provide health services, including breastfeeding support, in underserved areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To involve stakeholders in developing and enhancing breastfeeding promotion and support within Children's Centres.
- To explore community and staff perspectives on improving local breastfeeding support.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an action research strategy involving focus groups with Children's Centre staff and local parents.
- Conducted 10 focus groups between July 2008 and May 2009 to identify barriers and gather input.
- Implemented proposed changes and evaluated outcomes with shared feedback from staff, parents, and researchers.
Main Results:
- Identified barriers included community hostility towards breastfeeding and staff's limited knowledge of infant feeding.
- Initiatives included enhanced collaboration with health professionals, father involvement, increased peer support, and 'Breastfeeding Welcome' policies.
- All participating Children's Centres improved their breastfeeding promotion practices through the action research process.
Conclusions:
- A collaborative action research approach effectively stimulated improvements in breastfeeding promotion and support.
- The study demonstrated prompt and sustainable changes in practice within Children's Centres.
- Addressing community and staff knowledge gaps is crucial for effective breastfeeding support.
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