Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T12:19:49.787Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The process of establishing, implementing and maintaining a social support infant feeding programme

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

RG Watt ,
P McGlone ,
JJ Russell ,
KI Tull  and
E Dowler
RG Watt*
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1–19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK
P McGlone
Affiliation:
University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
JJ Russell
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1–19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK
KI Tull
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1–19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK
E Dowler
Affiliation:
University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Email r.watt@ucl.ac.uk
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Objective

To describe the process of establishing and implementing a social support infant feeding intervention.

Design

This paper outlines the initial stages of a randomised controlled trial which assessed the effectiveness of a social support intervention on a range of infant feeding outcomes. Details are presented of the processes involved in recruiting, training and supporting a group of volunteers who provided support to the study sample.

Setting

Camden and Islington, London, UK.

Results

Initial networking with local agencies and organisations provided invaluable information and contacts. Employing a dedicated volunteer co-ordinator is vitally important in the recruitment, training and support of volunteers. Providing child care and travel expenses is an essential incentive for volunteers with young children. Advertisements placed in local newspapers were the most successful means of recruiting volunteers. Appropriate training is needed to equip volunteers with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective support. Particular emphasis in the training focused upon developing the necessary interpersonal skills and self-confidence. The evaluation of the training programme demonstrated that it improved volunteers’ knowledge and reported confidence. The provision of ongoing support is also essential to maintain volunteers’ interest and enthusiasm. The retention of volunteers is, however, a key challenge.

Conclusions

The processes outlined in this paper have demonstrated the feasibility of successfully establishing, implementing and maintaining a community-based social support infant feeding programme. The experiences described provide useful insights into the practical issues that need to be addressed in setting up a social support intervention.

Keywords

Infant FeedingSocial supportIntervention development
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 9 , Issue 6 , September 2006 , pp. 714 - 721
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2006

References

1Foster, K, Lader, D, Cheesbrough, S. Infant Feeding 1995. London: The Stationery Office, 1997.Google Scholar
2Thomas, M, Avery, V. Office for National Statistics. Infant Feeding in Asian Families. London: The Stationery Office, 1997.Google Scholar
3Hamlyn, B, Brooker, S, Oleinikova, K, Wands, S. Infant Feeding 2000: London: The Stationery Office, 2002.Google Scholar
4Kelly, Y, Watt, R. Breast-feeding initiation and exclusive duration at 6 months by social class – results from the Millennium Cohort Study. Public Health Nutrition 2005; 8: 417–21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Darnton-Hill, I, Nishida, C, James, WPT. A life course approach to diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Public Health Nutrition 2004; 7: 101–21CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Sikorski, J, Renfrew, MJ, Pindoria, S, Wade, A. Support for breastfeeding mothers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002; (1): CD001141.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Tedstone, A, Dunce, N, Aviles, M, Shetty, P, Daniels, L. Effectiveness of Interventions to Promote Healthy Feeding in Infants under One Year of Age: A Review. London: Health Education Authority, 1998.Google Scholar
8Cohen, S, Syme, L. Social Support and Health. New York: Academic Press, 1985.Google Scholar
9Cooper, H, Arber, S, Fee, L, Ginn, J. The Influence of Social Support and Social Capital on Health. A Review and Analysis of British Data. London: Health Education Authority, 1999.Google Scholar
10Stansfeld, S. Social support and social cohesion. In: Marmot, M, Wilkinson, RG, eds. Social Determinants of Health. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999; 155–78Google Scholar
11Dean, K, Hancock, T. Supportive Environments for Health. Copenhagen: World Health Organization, 1992.Google Scholar
12House, J. Work, Stress and Social Support. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1981.Google Scholar
13Cohen, S, McKay, G. Social support, stress and the buffering hypothesis, a theoretical analysis. In: Baum, A, Singer, J, Taylor, S, eds. Handbook of Psychology and Health. Hillsdale, NJ: Laurence Erlbaum 1984; 253–67.Google Scholar
14Oakley, A. Is social support good for the health of mothers and babies? Journal of Reproduction and Infant Psychology 1988; 6: 3–21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15Johnson, Z, Howell, F, Molloy, B. Community mothers programme: randomised controlled trial of a non-professional intervention in parenting. British Medical Journal 1993; 306: 1449–52CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16Hodnett, E, Roberts, I. Home-based social support for socially disadvantaged mothers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2000; (2): CD000107.Google ScholarPubMed
17Department of Health. Choosing Health – Making Healthy Choices Easier. London: Department of Health, 2004.Google Scholar
18Taylor, T, Serrano, E, Anderson, J. Management issues related to effectively implementing a nutrition education program using peer educators. Journal of Nutrition Education 2001; 33: 284–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19McGlone, P, Dobson, B, Dowler, E, Nelson, M. Food Projects and How They Work. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1999.Google Scholar
20Ewles, L, Simmnett, I. Promoting Health. A Practical Guide. London: Bailliere Tindall, 1999.Google Scholar
21Ovretveit, J. Evaluating Health Interventions. Buckingham: Open University Press, 1998.Google Scholar
22Dykes, F. Government funded breastfeeding peer support projects: implications for practice. Maternal and Child Nutrition 2005; 1: 21–31.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23Croll, N, Jurs, E, Kennedy, S. Total quality assurance and peer education. Journal of the American College of Health 1993; 41: 247–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24Meister, J, Warrick, L, deZapien, J, Wood, A. Using lay health workers: case study of a community-based prenatal intervention. Journal of Community Health 1992; 17: 37–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25McInnes, R, Stone, D. The process of implementing a community-based peer breastfeeding support programme: the Glasgow experience. Midwifery 2001; 17: 65–73.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26World Health Organization (WHO). The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. Health Promotion 1. Geneva: WHO, 1986; i–v.Google Scholar
27Beattie, A. Knowledge and control in health promotion: a test case for social policy and social theory. In: Gabe, J, Calna, M, Bury, M, eds. The Sociology of the Health Service. London: Routledge, 1991.Google Scholar
28Tones, K, Tilford, S, eds. Health Education: Effectiveness, Efficiency and Equity. London: Chapman and Hall, 1994.Google Scholar
29Freire, P. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. New York: Herder and Herder, 1970.Google Scholar
30Walker, C, Fisher, A. Growing into Giving: Young People's Engagement with Charity. Kent: Charities Aid Foundation, 2002.Google Scholar