Improving access to breastfeeding support in British Columbia: A collaborative planning project

Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both infant and mother. While it is recommended that new mothers exclusively breastfeed for the first six months postpartum, with continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond, many women and birthing people experience breastfeeding challenges. Poor latch, pain, and lack of support can impact breastfeeding goals. These challenges can be heavily influenced by social inequities, parental leave, and societal pressures, particularly among disadvantaged populations in Canada and around the world. It is important for postpartum women to receive breastfeeding support from healthcare professionals, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where in-person contact is limited. Therefore, this planning project will establish key networks and resources around optimal breastfeeding support in British Columbia. Specific objectives are to build partnerships, conduct a needs assessment, and create a research agenda to develop and evaluate a breastfeeding support intervention study in the province. We expect to identify key aspects of virtual and in-person support that will create a thorough and meaningfully designed breastfeeding intervention study, which will ultimately lead to higher rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity, as well as improved user satisfaction and self-efficacy among parents and families across BC. Breastfeeding is an important, cost-effective strategy that must be supported effectively to improve health outcomes for mothers and children.