Who supports breastfeeding?
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Date
2008-07
Authors
Clifford, Jacqueline
McIntyre, Ellen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Breastfeeding Association -- www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Rights
Rights Holder
Abstract
‘Breastfeeding is best for baby ’ is the view supported by many health organisations including Australia’s
National Health and Medical research council (NNHMrc)
and the World Health Organization (WWHO).
this literature review of
both quantitative and qualitative studies was conducted to determine who
supports women to breastfeed successfully in the current environment. results indicated that fathers,
other family members and friends can have a significant impact in supporting breastfeeding if they
are positive about breastfeeding and have the skills to support breastfeeding. Health professionals are
more effective in their support if their attitude to breastfeeding is positive and they have appropriate
knowledge and skills to help the breastfeeding mother, something that is often lacking in their training.
Peer counsellors and breastfeeding support groups are very effective but only if women access them.
Employers and the community know about the benefits of breastfeeding;however,they do not provide
much support for breastfeeding. For breastfeeding to be better supported, family and friends need to
be more aware of the importance of breastfeeding and how to help mothers;health professionals need
more effective training in supporting breastfeeding;peer counsellors and breastfeeding support groups
need to be more accessible to breastfeeding women;and employers and the community need to be more
breastfeeding friendly.
Description
Keywords
Breastfeeding -- support
Citation
Clifford, J. and McIntyre, E. 2008 Who supports breastfeeding? Breastfeeding Review, 16(2): 9-19.