New Study on Support Services for Breastfeeding Mothers
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New Study on Support Services for Breastfeeding Mothers
23.02.2010
Breastfeeding rates in Ireland are among the lowest in Europe but the public health nursing services do have a positive, professional and organisational attitude towards breastfeeding. This is one of the findings published in a recent national study which examined services provided by Public Health Nurses (PHN) to breastfeeding mothers.

The Infant Feeding Survey was commissioned by the Health Services Executive and undertaken by nurse/midwife researchers in UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery to review provision of existing breastfeeding support services in Ireland.

This study used three national samples; mothers with children under three years of age (n=1,854), Directors of Public Health Nursing (DPHNs) (n=24), and PHNs (n=204). Questionnaires were completed and returned either by mail or online.

Outlining details of the Survey, Helen Mulcahy, Lecturer at UCC’s School of Nursing & Midwifery said: “Overall, mothers had high breastfeeding self-efficacy (confidence in their ability) with a sub group of mothers in which the levels were very high. PHNs had a more positive attitude to breastfeeding than breastfeeding mothers which was statistically significant and an unexpected finding, but may be related to the fact that they had education on breastfeeding.”

The Study found that the majority of mothers who responded were over 35 years; married and had third level education. It also found that the majority of mothers had decided on a method of infant feeding prior to pregnancy or in early pregnancy. In addition, respondents made a conscious decision to breastfeed using a whole variety of feeding combinations. Furthermore, satisfaction with breastfeeding was related to mothers’ achieving their own goals in terms of planned duration of breastfeeding.

Specifically in relation to PHNs, mothers indicated that breastfeeding support groups in their area, contact details for PHNs, especially with same day response, seven-day week PHN service, more home visits, and scheduled phone calls would have been considered beneficial.  Highly rated services included chat rooms/blogs and the drop-in well baby clinics run by PHNs.

The Study showed that the majority of mothers were satisfied with their overall breastfeeding experience. “Based on the results, the researchers have made recommendations to improve breastfeeding support services nationally”, concluded Ms Mulcahy.

If you would like more detail about the study, please contact Dr Patricia Leahy-Warren (Principal Investigator) at patricia.leahy@ucc.ie

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