developing and sustaining breastfeeding peer support programs by michelle buckner
TRANSCRIPT
DEVELOPING AND SUSTAINING BREASTFEEDING PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS
By Michelle Buckner
In this session you will learn about:
PEER BREASTFEED
ING
SUPPORT !!!!
Recruiting and sustaining a strong volunteer base
The importance of comprehensive peer training
What types of services peer breastfeeding volunteers can offer
Collaborating with and engaging community partners for ongoing program support and success
RECRUITING VOLUNTEERSHow do your programs recruit volunteers?
Recruiting volunteers
Identify breastfeeding moms who are community leaders (playgroups, LLL meetings, midwifery clinics etc.) as potential volunteers and program participants
Ask professionals who work with moms to identify “breastfeeding champions” in community
Ask for moms contact information, especially with priority populations as they may not have resources or confidence to follow up
Invite moms to attend working groups or BFI committee meetings. (increase moms ability to participate by reducing barriers i.e. providing childcare, snacks etc.)
Use existing social media to recruit volunteers and promote peer breastfeeding program
Advertise where moms hang out i.e. OEYC, malls, community centres Word of mouth is VERY important for recruitment
“ I wanted to support other moms by sharing my breastfeeding challenges and triumphs. Now the women I have helped want to reach out to new mothers too.” Breastfeeding Buddy 2013
Moms recruiting Moms……
Other recruitment tips….
Develop a “job description” clearly outlining qualifications, the role of a peer breastfeeding volunteer and training provided
Compile an application package that is available via mail or email with a set deadline
Conduct interviews- places importance on the role, allows you to gather more information on moms and to share details of program/training
Present the program as an important service for the community that will attract passionate and dedicated volunteers.
RETAINING VOLUNTEERSWhat is the average length of time a volunteer participates in your program?
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~Leo Buscaglia
Volunteerism…..
Retaining Volunteers....
Placing value on their time and lived experience by: Providing a meaningful volunteer experience with
opportunities to give feedback on future direction of program i.e. sitting on advisory committee
Offer a variety of roles for them to practice existing breastfeeding support skills and to develop new skills i.e. telephone help, group facilitation, presentations
Find out about other skills and delegate tasks to them
Honor their contributions to the program as useful and necessary by sharing breastfeeding stats and evaluation feedback
Retain volunteers by creating a peer breastfeeding culture!
Host regular staff meetings that: provide extended learning opportunities host meetings in familiar, safe spaces promote mentoring, role playing and resource sharing increase a sense of community address scope of practice for the peer
Provide access to a peer coordinator who can: answer questions and offer support oversee program while creating a strong team approach send regular emails with links, program updates and messages of appreciation to increase engagement offer “mom sized” volunteer opportunities use social media i.e. Facebook to create forum for sharing
“I feel such a strong sense of connectedness with my fellow BFB. I can complain to them, offer ideas, get support and feel like I am part of an important team. I am motivated every time I come to a meeting to continue to offer breastfeeding help to the moms of our region.” BFB 2011
…. share, learn , connect and inspire….
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPREHENSIVE PEER TRAINING
What it looks like and why?
“In order to provide appropriate support for breastfeeding mothers, both lay and all health-care professionals need to be trained in all aspects of breastfeeding. This training should include breastfeeding management, nutrition, infant growth and develop ment, counselling techniques, and criteria for making referrals and it should be tailored to local requirements…”
World Health Organization:
What does comprehensive peer training look like?
20 hour peer breastfeeding course(Based on the WHO/UNICEF Model)
Co- facilitated by medical professional and peer trainer
Continued training via coordinator at staff meetings
Policy and procedures to guide scope of practice
Course materials, common Q&A, community resources, nutrition and parenting sections
Resource book such as “Bestfeeding” or “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding”
Training Binder/Resources
BreastfeedingBuddies Handbook 2013 - 2014
A program supported byKitchener Downtown Community
Health CentreRegion of Waterloo Public Health,
and other Community Partners
Why is it important?
Comprehensive training increases retention rate, and level of commitment from volunteers
Strengthens volunteers knowledge, skills and confidence
Normalizes breastfeeding by placing value on the role of the peer breastfeeding volunteer
Establishes credibility and “buy in “ from medical professionals and community partners
Compliments BFI messaging – Step 10 Provides consistent breastfeeding information
and support for moms in the community.
“Each day I wanted to come earlier. I learned so much and I felt well equipped to help moms…I can’t wait to share this knowledge with others!” BFB 2012
Class of 2012
TYPES OF SERVICES PEERS CAN OFFER
Changing breastfeeding culture ….
Reclaiming Breastfeeding culture…
Peer support normalizes breastfeeding
Roles for peer breastfeeding volunteers
Volunteers are matched with a mom based on criteria such as language, breastfeeding experiences and challenges
“significantly more mothers in the peer support group who received telephone support continued to breastfeed at 3 months postpartum compared to the control group who were not matched with a peer volunteer.” C. Dennis, 2002
Peer volunteers can attend sites to provide face to face breastfeeding support and share community resources
Breastfeeding Cafés, OEYC, playgroups, community centres and events
Providing “incidental” breastfeeding support to all members of the community i.e. school bus stop
Midwife group care breastfeeding workshop
One to one matches Community site support
Breastfeeding Peer Volunteers can also offer….
Prenatal breastfeeding workshops facilitated by peer breastfeeding volunteers
Prenatal health fair booth attendant
Speaking at events and seminars about peer support
Represent program on committees
“Demo Mom” at peer breastfeeding workshop- nurses her baby and answers participant questions
Encourage them to take program materials to health care providers for future referrals
Group facilitation & presentations Unique Volunteer Opportunities
Peer lead prenatal workshop
COLLABORATION & ENGAGING COMMUNITY PARTNERS
It takes a village……
LHIN, Government, Policy Makers
Hospital, Public Health,
Community Programs
Healthcare professionals
Partner, Peers, Family
Mom and baby
How do you get community partners to “buy in” and
work together?Where do peer breastfeeding
volunteers fit?
Collaboration
Invite community partners to peer training, cafes or workshops
invite
Demonstrate high level of training peers receive
Emphasize diversity of volunteers Create networking opportunities
between different agencies Share program evaluations and
Data collection to guide future programming
Involve community partners as guest speakers
network
Convey research on peer support and breastfeeding success
Emphasize the comprehensive 20 hour WHO training
Showcase programs FREE services and how to access them
Bring peer volunteer to co present information and to speak about scope of practice
Include BFI accreditation guidelines in relation to peer support
Network by inviting Partners to a Presentation
What does a peer breastfeeding volunteer look like?
diversity
experienced breastfeeding moms who are passionate about breastfeeding (minimum 6 months breastfeeding experience
different socio-economic status and education levels
diverse cultural backgrounds unique family structures Varying age groups Compassionate, non-judgemental and
knowledgeable
Class of 2013 –taking a break while training…
Who are they?Why should community partners
support breastfeeding and the peer model?
Community Partners
OEYC
Midwives and Doulas
Parenting
Programs
HealthProfession
als
Baby Shows
Public Health
MultiCultura
l centre
Aboriginal
Centres
Parenti
ng Youth Groups
Public Library
Municipal Governm
ent
NP clinics
La Leche
League
Family HealthTeams
Family Outreac
h
Hospitals
CHC’s
“indicates that breastfeeding peer support programs, in conjunction with professional services are effective…although professional assistance is important, this type of support alone regardless of the quality or quantity, is insufficient to improve breastfeeding outcomes, especially among socially disadvantaged mothers.” C. L. Dennis , University of Toronto, 2002
Research …
Why should community partners refer to peer breastfeeding support?
Directs normal breastfeeding challenges and questions to women who have lived experience and training
“De medicalizes” breastfeeding Creates a pathway of diverse breastfeeding support
resources for moms; especially those who face barriers to other services i.e teen moms
Empowers women to make informed decisions Enables medical professionals i.e. lactation consultants to
provide necessary specialized medical support for moms and babies while peers address issues of encouragement , support and practical tips
Changes the breastfeeding culture in the community Addresses step 10 of BFI accreditation and promotes Best
Practice Guidelines
Breastfeeding Decision Making Factors
Historically women learned “how to breastfeed” by watching other women feed their babies in a community setting; it was part of daily life.
Today, research shows that a women’s choice to breastfeed her baby is strongly influenced by three main factors:
PARTNER PEERS
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
Dennis C, Hodnett E, Gallop R, Chalmers B. The effect of peer support
on breast-feeding duration among primiparous women: a randomized
controlled trial. CMAJ 166:21-28, 2002.
BREASTFEEDING AS A DETERMINANT OF HEALTH
Population with the lowest income and education is the group most likely to use ABM.
This population is at the greatest risk for not breastfeeding AND has the most to lose from not breastfeeding both financially and in terms of optimal health outcomes.
Breastfeeding decreases the costs to the healthcare system while providing the best possible free food for children.
A community which supports breastfeeding also supports the optimal health of families regardless of socio-economic or ethno-cultural groups; anyone can breastfeed their baby .
Peer Breastfeeding Programs support best practice guidelines
World Health Organization
UNICEF
Canadian Pediatrics Society
RNAO
Canadian Association of Physicians and Surgeons
Dietitians Association of Canada
Best Practice guidelines recommend that: “ all babies are exclusively breastfeed for 6 months with the introduction of solid foods in the middle of the first year and to continue to breastfeed for 2 years and beyond” WHO 2012.
A normal Breastfeeding Culture is women helping women …….
Aim High…
…
