Association Between Breastfeeding Peer Support and Confidence in Breastfeeding
Hyo Jin Jean Jeon1, Michelle Granner1, Elizabeth Christiansen1
1University of Nevada, Reno, USA.
Summary
Peer support programs enhance breastfeeding confidence and coping skills for low-income women. Increased satisfaction with these programs correlates with longer breastfeeding duration and better challenge management.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Peer support programs show promise in supporting breastfeeding across diverse populations and reducing health disparities.
- This study investigated the implementation and outcomes of a peer breastfeeding support initiative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of participation on breastfeeding motivation, confidence, and coping strategies.
- To evaluate participant satisfaction with the peer support program.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted across seven U.S. pilot sites.
- Data collection involved surveys and focus groups/interviews from 1,296 participants over 12 months.
- 401 women completed surveys, and 23 focus groups and 63 interviews were conducted.
Main Results:
- Participants reported increased breastfeeding confidence, both during pregnancy and postpartum (p < 0.001).
- Higher satisfaction levels were associated with longer breastfeeding duration (p < 0.001).
- Satisfied participants demonstrated improved coping strategies for breastfeeding challenges (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Effective program operation significantly impacts participant satisfaction.
- Peer support can benefit low-income women by improving breastfeeding experiences and potentially increasing rates.
- Findings may have limited generalizability beyond this specific U.S. federally-funded program.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Self-Help Support Groups
27
Self-help support groups are voluntary, community-based organizations that provide a platform for individuals with shared concerns to exchange support, insights, and practical strategies for coping with life challenges. Typically led by group members or paraprofessionals, these groups form a cornerstone of mental health care, especially in reaching populations that are underserved by traditional healthcare systems.
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
27
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
43
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
43
00:55Parental Care
11.6K
Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
11.6K
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.2K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.2K
01:20Attachment
55
Attachment is vital for infant development, as warm social interactions support growth and well-being. In a classic 1958 study by Harry Harlow, the significance of warmth and comfort in forming attachments was examined. Harlow separated newborn monkeys from their mothers and provided two artificial "mothers": one made of cold wire and the other covered in soft cloth. Despite the wire mother offering food, the infant monkeys preferred the comfort of the cloth mother, demonstrating that...
55
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
38
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Primary Temperament Types
38