An evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and voluntary breastfeeding supporters

Victoria Hall Moran phd bsc, Fiona Dykes ma rm rgn adm cert ed phd, Janet Edwards ma ba rgn rm adm, Sue Burt ma bsc rgn rm adm and Mary Whitmore phd bsc, supporter, trainer bfn, adv dip couns
Matern Child Nutr. 2005 Oct;1(4):241-9.

Abstract

The promotion of breastfeeding has been established as a global public health issue. Despite this global agenda, breastfeeding initiation and duration rates remain low in many countries. The lack of provision of adequate support to the breastfeeding mother is an important contributory factor to shorter duration of breastfeeding. Health professionals and voluntary breastfeeding supporters are in a prime position to work collaboratively to provide comprehensive support to the breastfeeding mother. However, a comparative evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of voluntary breastfeeding supporters and health professionals has never been conducted. This study aimed to assess the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and Breastfeeding Network (BfN) supporters.