The process of implementing a community-based peer breast-feeding support programme: the Glasgow experience

Aim: to document the process of implementing and maintaining a community-ba sed peer- support programme. Design and setting: a community-based study located in a socio-economically disadvantaged housing estate on the outskirts of Glasgow. Participants: pregnant women residing in a target postcode area, Intervention: a programme of peer counselling and support for breast feedin g, comprising antenatal and postnatal home visits over a period of three ye ars. Implications for practice: peer support may provide an acceptable and appro priate role model for breast-feeding mothers. However, further research is required on other influential factors such as the social network and the im pact of this programme on the peer supporter Conclusions: despite a low prevalence of breast feeding, initiating and mai ntaining peer breast-feeding support was possible. Peer support appeared to be acceptable to mothers and health professionals, Study mothers spoke ent husiastically of the intervention and mentioned increased confidence and se lf-esteem, (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.