Promotion of optimal breastfeeding practices through introduction of "mother support groups"

Abstract

Breast feeding an infant during the first six months of life is crucial. Breast milk provides an infant with the ideal nutrition needed for healthy growth and development. Breastfeeding is beneficial for infant’s and mother’s health. The prevalence of breastfeeding (both exclusive and any) in Armenia abruptly declined in the early 1990s. The risk factors contributing to the low level of exclusive breastfeeding are considered to be the following: lack of knowledge on the benefits and management of breastfeeding, biological factors such as mastitis, sore nipples, social factor and health sector factor including the hospital practices that do not encourage exclusive breastfeeding and lack of support to breastfeeding mothers. Literature and research reviews find that continuous support by mother support groups (MSGs) help mothers to overcome problems with breastfeeding. MSGs can provide appropriate support making mothers more confident in their ability to care for their babies and themselves. The objectives of this study are 1) to enlighten and empower all women to decide to breast feed their children 2) to provide a supportive environment for all mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies up to 6 months and to continue to breastfeed up to 2 years. Research questions addressed by this proposal are: what are the major problems that mothers face during breastfeeding practices; 2) what kind of help do they need during breast feeding practices; 3) whom do mothers prefer to see in the role of facilitator in a MSG; health care providers or mothers? For this study a qualitative research method is used. Seven focus group discussions were organized: three in Yerevan and four in Aragatsotn Marz. The focus group guide (FGG) includes domains, which through open-ended questions identifies knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers in optimal breastfeeding management and mothers’ opinions about MSGs and who they would prefer to see in the role of breastfeeding counselor in a MSG (HCP-to-mother or mother-to-mother). Overall, the study shows that most of the participants lack appropriate knowledge and skills in breastfeeding management. Early introductionon of water, tea, cow milk, other liquids and ccomplementary feeding is very common. Exclusive breastfeeding practice is almost absent. The participants of the focus group discussions welcome the idea of a “mother support group” that could help them to overcome the problems that usually occur during breastfeeding. They prefer to receive counseling from a specialist or a specialist together with an experienced mother on breastfeeding management skills as part of these groups. Based on the results of the focus group discussions the following recommendations are made: 1) to organize training on breastfeeding management skills for health care providers and experienced mothers who want to become breastfeeding counselors 2) to allot special area adjacent to polyclinic or maternity hospital for organizing “mother support groups” cabinets 3) MSGs can also pay home visits to mothers who have encountered with breastfeeding problems and 4) MSGs can also be directed toward fathers and other family members (e.g., grandmothers, mother-in-laws) who greatly influence the women’s decision to breastfeed.