Presentation Information

Importance of Peer Counselling and the Impact of the Pandemic on Breastfeeding Dyads in Australia

• Speaker: Naomi Hull , RN, IBCLC, MPH, Cert IV Breastfeeding Education (Counselling)
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME, 0.1 Midwifery CEU, 1 Dietetic CEU

Abstract:

Peer counselling has a positive impact on duration of breastfeeding and is quite different to care provided in a health facility. The Australian Breastfeeding Association is a volunteer organisation that provides peer counselling, support and information to mothers and their families face to face but has always provided support via the telephone (National Breastfeeding Helpline), and also an online platform (LiveChat).

During COVID-19 isolation period in Australia, ABA volunteers reported anecdotal evidence of increased calls and a noticeable difference in the number of mothers calling for support to relactate or increase their supply, ABA decided to commence an in-house voluntary survey based on volunteer’s interactions with mothers on the topic of COVID-19.

This presentation will discuss discuss the features of peer counselling and how it works so well with breastfeeding support and the results of this in-house survey. The results provide insight into the impact on mothers, their main concerns, and insight around their impact on desire to breastfeed. The results also evaluate the experiences of peer support counsellors and their feelings about their volunteer role during this time.