A mixed methods evaluation of the breastfeeding memory aide CHINS

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• Breastfeeding rates in the UK remain low despite extensive training initiatives like the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.
• Effective breastfeeding support requires practitioners to possess and apply theoretical knowledge consistently in practice.
• There is a need to enhance the skills of the breastfeeding workforce to improve support and promotion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the CHINS (Close, Head free, In-line, Nose to Nipple and Sustainable) memory aide on UK breastfeeding practitioners.
• To assess how CHINS aids in the recall and application of breastfeeding theory in practice.
• To understand the role of memory aids in building practitioner confidence and improving breastfeeding support.

Main Methods:

• A concurrent, convergent mixed methods approach was employed, utilizing Normalisation Process Theory (NPT).
• An online survey was distributed to 115 UK breastfeeding practitioners and academics.
• Qualitative data was gathered through focus groups with 16 survey respondents.

Main Results:

• CHINS is widely adopted in breastfeeding education and practice due to its simplicity and integration ease.
• The memory aide has standardized positioning principles, addressing inconsistencies and improving practice.
• CHINS contributes to practitioners' confidence in providing breastfeeding support.

Conclusions:

• CHINS is a valuable tool for standardizing effective breastfeeding positioning and enhancing practitioner confidence.
• Further development and maintenance of practitioner skills are crucial for promoting and supporting breastfeeding.
• Memory aids like CHINS play a significant role in achieving these goals within the breastfeeding workforce.