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. 2017 Oct;30(5):389-397.
doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2017.03.002. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

"The right help at the right time": Positive constructions of peer and professional support for breastfeeding

Elaine Burns  1 , Virginia Schmied  2
Affiliations

"The right help at the right time": Positive constructions of peer and professional support for breastfeeding

Elaine Burns et al. Women Birth. 2017 Oct.

Abstract

Problem or issue: Support during the early establishment phase of breastfeeding is important but women report that health professionals can undermine their confidence with breastfeeding.

What is already known: Breastfeeding support provided in fragmented hospital based models of care predominantly reflect authoritative expert advice-giving which women describe as conflicting and unsupportive. Women show a preference for support from a known midwife, or a peer supporter, or a combination of the two.

What this paper adds: Peer support counsellors and privately practicing midwives approached breastfeeding support in a similar way. They interacted with women as a ‘knowledgeable friend’ and normalised breastfeeding challenges which enhanced women’s confidence with breastfeeding.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Discourse analysis; Midwife; Model of Care; Peer support counsellor.

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