Table 2 Measures used pre and post for intervention and comparison groups

Demographic

Including postcode or usual residence, education level achieved, annual income, relationship status, other children, web/phone use. [7],[35]

Infant details

Including, birth day to calculate age in days, type of delivery (vaginal or caesarean), weight. [7],[35]

Mother details

Including breastfeeding intentions prior to birth, return to work, ethnicity. [7],[35]

Current infant feeding practices

24 hour recall, indicated as best practice. Breastfeeding definition in accordance with WHO indicators. [7],[8],[35]

Self-efficacy

Previously validated breastfeeding self-efficacy measured by 13 items using a five point Likert scale anchored by `not at all confident' to `always confident'. [36]

.92

Social support

As a function of self-efficacy. Also included current levels of support from family, peers, professionals and organisations measured using a seven point Likert scale with summated score anchored by `no support' and `lots of support'. [36],[37]

.97

Coping checklist

Identifies active and emotions-focussed coping, and self-accountability as a contributor to efficacy.

Ways of Coping Checklist (WCCL), five point Likert scale anchored by `rarely' and `frequently' identifies five main forms of coping:

• problem-focused (13 items);

.86

• wishful thinking (6 items);

.86

• seeks social support (3 items);

.90

• blamed self (3 items);

.89

• avoidance (9 items).

.88

Problem-focused + social support = active coping.

Wishful thinking + blamed self + avoidance = emotions focussed coping. [17],[38],[39]

Emotions

Positive (hope, challenge) and

.85

negative (fear, guilt, regret) emotions used 5 items using a 5 point Likert scale anchored by `not at all' and `very much' [39].

.79

Breastfeeding knowledge and awareness

Eight validated questions on knowledge and awareness [36],[37].