Research identifies practical steps to make breastfeeding support more accessible and inclusive
A breastfeeding peer support service in Newcastle is helping mothers build confidence, feel supported and continue breastfeeding, according to a new evaluation led by researchers from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria.
However, the study also found that some families face barriers to accessing support, leading to recommendations to improve the service and make it more inclusive.
Breastfeeding offers important health benefits for both women and babies. While the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, many women in the UK stop breastfeeding within the first few weeks after giving birth.
Researchers evaluated Newcastle’s Breastfeeding Peer Support (BPS) service to better understand how it supports families and identify opportunities for improvement. The study included interviews with mothers who used the service, alongside practitioners, volunteers and healthcare professionals involved in its delivery.
Valued support for breastfeeding mothers
Across all groups, the service was seen as a valuable source of support. Mothers described community groups as welcoming spaces where they could share experiences, receive practical advice and connect with others facing similar challenges.
Many women said the service helped them build confidence, feel empowered to make informed decisions about infant feeding and continue breastfeeding when they might otherwise have stopped.
Several mothers reflected that without the encouragement and support of practitioners, volunteers and fellow group members, they would not have been able to continue breastfeeding.
The evaluation also highlighted the importance of the sense of community created by the service. Messaging groups and peer networks enabled mothers to stay connected and support one another outside formal sessions.
Normalising breastfeeding
Researchers identified the normalisation of breastfeeding as one of the service’s key strengths. Group settings provided opportunities for mothers to see breastfeeding as a normal part of everyday life, while validating both the successes and challenges that can come with feeding a baby.
The study found that many practitioners and volunteers brought lived experience to their roles, having previously used the service themselves before returning to support other families. This created a cycle of support that was valued by both staff and service users.
Volunteers and practitioners also reported personal benefits from their involvement, including a sense of achievement and the opportunity to give back to a service that had previously supported them.
Challenges reaching some communities
Despite its positive impact, the evaluation identified several challenges.
Researchers found that the service was not always reaching the families it was designed to support, including younger mothers, those living in more deprived communities and women whose first language is not English.
Some mothers also described difficulties accessing groups and occasionally feeling that they did not belong or were not being heard. Healthcare professionals highlighted a lack of ethnic diversity among practitioners and volunteers, while the absence of interpretation services created barriers for some families.
The evaluation also found that some mothers received conflicting advice from healthcare professionals and breastfeeding support practitioners, highlighting the need for stronger collaboration across services.
Recommendations for service redesign
- Offering some groups during evenings and weekends
- Locating services in areas that are easily accessible by public transport
- Providing initial one-to-one appointments in mothers’ homes
- Increasing representation of people from Black, Asian and other minoritised communities among practitioners and volunteers
- Making greater use of interpreters and translation services
- Developing tailored support groups for parents aged under 25
Supporting future service commissioning and design
The findings provide valuable insight into how breastfeeding peer support services are experienced by mothers, volunteers, practitioners and healthcare professionals.
The study also highlights the important role peer support can play in helping mothers continue breastfeeding while identifying practical steps to ensure more families can benefit from that support in the future.
The recommendations could help commissioners, policymakers and healthcare providers design more accessible and inclusive breastfeeding support services, particularly for communities that are less likely to engage with existing provision.
Acknowledgments
This study was funded by Newcastle City Council and delivered by researchers funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria.