title: The benefits of phone support and home visits: an evaluation of the City of Kingston's Breastfeeding Support Service.
abstract: This paper presents an evaluation of the City of Kingston Breastfeeding Support Service that was performed in 2006. The evaluation utilised a mail-out questionnaire designed to investigate mothers' breastfeeding expectations, experiences, issues and support received, in addition to their experience of using the Service. Seventy-seven percent of mothers contacted the service for support due primarily to problems with positioning and attachment, nipple pain or mastitis. Other reasons were also cited, reflecting that it takes time and experience for women to learn to breastfeed and to develop an understanding of their lactation. The study found that on discharge from the hospital, 59% of mothers were fully breastfeeding; this figure decreased to 32% at the time of contacting the service, but increased to 42% two weeks after contacting the service. Satisfaction with both the model of service and the support received was very high. Mothers were able to feel more comfortable with their breastfeeding (75%), to breastfeed for longer (59%) and with more confidence (71%) and greater knowledge (68%) about breastfeeding and lactation. The majority of mothers (96%) reported they would contact the service again if they needed further breastfeeding advice and support.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Coffield
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers; D013689:Telephone; D014739:Victoria