Table 2 Themes according to the domains of experiences of breastfeeding peer counseling. Women participating in the Breastfeeding Heritage and Pride™ program (n = 28)
Domains | Themes | Examples of practices that promoted positive counseling experiences |
|---|---|---|
Effective communication | Tailoring communication to meet women’s individual needs | • Listened to women’s questions and concerns and responded with information that met their specific needs • Inquired about and documented details about women in order to tailor breastfeeding education and support to address their specific challenges and situations • Initiated conversations to learn about women’s needs for items necessary for breastfeeding and caring for their infants like breast pumps and diapers and then provided these resources • Practiced clear communication – for example, by using everyday words and offering clear explanations about infant feeding practices • Promoted women’s understanding of information by repeating information, explaining the same information in a variety of ways, and sharing videos and photographs to illustrate concepts like how to position infants while breastfeeding and get a good latch |
Offering comprehensive and honest information about infant feeding | • Offered comprehensive information by providing supplementary written materials and videos on infant feeding, and by sharing not only “textbook” information on infant feeding, but also personal views and experiences with breastfeeding • Exhibited honesty when sharing information about infant feeding | |
Being timely, proactive, and responsive in all communications across the maternity care continuum | • Provided anticipatory guidance through a series of contacts and at times when it was most relevant and needed, beginning in pregnancy and continuing through the postpartum period • Reached out to women periodically to inquire about their breastfeeding experiences, address concerns, and assist with any challenges • Talked with women when it was convenient for them • Responded promptly to women when they had infant feeding questions or reached out for lactation support | |
Respect and dignity | Respectful breastfeeding counseling | • Interacted with women in a “courteous,” “friendly,” and “warm” manner • Did not raise their voices, “get mad” or frustrated, or use rude language • Demonstrated patience during counseling visits • Had a “non-judgmental” attitude when asking and responding to questions • Did not pressure women to join or continue participating in the program • Gave women space to decide when to reach out for additional support • Respected women’s infant feeding decisions, including their choices to partially or fully formula feed • Did not pressure women to breastfeed, while remaining supportive of breastfeeding • Did not criticize or make “mom shaming” comments about women’s infant feeding and care practices |
Being “genuinely interested” in women and their families | • Showed interest not only in women’s infants, but also in them as individuals who matter – for example, by asking women about their lives and their well-being • Knew and valued women as people and remembered details about their lives • Inquired about women’s family members and showed interest in infants beyond whether they were breastfeeding • Were attentive and spent time when offering support, rather than rushing | |
Emotional support | Offering encouragement to women | • Encouraged women to achieve their breastfeeding goals through praise and words of encouragement • Offered reassurance to alleviate women’s worries about breastfeeding |