Peer Support is Necessary for Breastfeeding Success

Breastfeeding can be both an exciting and overwhelming ordeal for many mothers, especially new ones. Breastfeeding has been shown to have numerous benefits for both baby and mother, including a mutual bond. (FNS, 2004) (LLL, 2007) (Pugh & Milligan, 2002) Other benefits for baby include less risk of illness and dental carries, complete nutrition from breast milk, higher rates of IQ and lower risk of developing diabetes at a later age. Benefits for mothers include reduced risk of breast, uteran and ovarian cancers, a healthy postpartum weight loss and lower rates of post-partum depression. (FNS, 2004) (LLL, 2007) Families can save thousands of dollars for the first year of the baby's life due to not having to buy formula and bottles, less doctor visits due to a healthier immunity and less absences from work due to illness. (FNS, 2004) (LLL, 2007) (Pugh & Milligan, 2002) In addition to this, a recent study found that "The lives of nearly 900 babies would be saved each year, along with billions of dollars, if 90 percent of U.S. women breast-fed their babies for the first six months of life, a cost analysis says." (Tanner, 2010)

Although breastfeeding can be very beneficial, breastfeeding rates among low-income women are fairly low. "In, 2000, only 20.1 percent of low-income mothers breastfed for 6 months." and "Nearly 35 percent of low-income women stop breastfeeding within 8 days of delivery, but with support, this percentage can increase." (Pugh & Milligan, 2002, p. 1) Factors that can lead a low-income mother to use formula instead of breast milk include having to return to work, cultural pressures and norms to bottle feed, lack of information around breastfeeding and lack of support. (FNS, 2004) It is important to dispel myths around breastfeeding and address any concerns around breastfeeding early on so that women feel supported in their decision to breastfeed. Coupling information with a strong support system can be very useful for breastfeeding mothers.

Breastfeeding peer support has had positive impacts on the breastfeeding rates across countries, including the U.S. For example, several studies were done in London that "revealed that groups were more popular because they normalized breastfeeding in a social environment... which improved participants' sense of well-being." (Hoddinott & Chalmers, 2006) In Canada, 250 women were interviewed about their experience with breastfeeding. About half of the women attended a peer support group and the other half did not. The results showed that those who did receive the peer support group were significantly more satisfied with their infant feeding, were more confident and had higher rates of breastfeeding retention. (Dennis, 2002) The US has similar findings, such as in Georgia where they found that low-income women were more likely to initiate breastfeeding if encouraged by peer and social support, rather than professional support. The duration of breastfeeding also correlated positively with the exposure of positive reinforcement from peers. (Humphreys & Thompson, 1998) In rural Iowa, 82 % of women who received peer counseling through WIC initiated breastfeeding, compared to 31% of women who did not receive the same peer support. (Schafer & Vogel, 1998)
References

Dennis, C. (2002). Breastfeeding peer support: maternal and volunteer perceptions from a randomized

controlled trial. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 29(3), 169-176. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus

with Full Text database.

Hoddinott, P., Chalmers, M., & Pill, R. (2006). One-to-one or group-based peer support for

breastfeeding? Women's perceptions of a breastfeeding peer coaching intervention. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 33(2), 139-146. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.

Humphreys, A., Thompson, N., & Miner, K. (1998). Intention to breastfeed in low-income pregnant

women: the role of social support and previous experience. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 25(3), 169-174. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.

La Leche League (LLL). (2007). What are the benefits of breastfeeding my baby?. (Retrieved April 1,

2010 from http://www.llli.org/FAQ/advantages.html

Pugh, L., Milligan, R., Frick, K., Spatz, D., & Bronner, Y. (2002). Breastfeeding duration, costs, and

benefits of a support program for low-income breastfeeding women. Birth: Issues in Perinatal

Care, 29(2), 95-100. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.

Schafer, E., Vogel, M., Viegas, S., & Hausafus, C. (1998). Volunteer peer counselors increase

breastfeeding duration among rural low-income women. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 25(2),

101-106. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.

Tanner, Lindsey. (April 5, 2010). Study: Breastfeeding would save lives, money. Associated Press.

Chicago. Retrieved on April 6, 2010 from

http://health.yahoo.com/news/ap/us_med_breast_feeding_savings.html

The Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). (2004). Loving support through peer

counseling training manual