Facilitators and Barriers to Providing Breastfeeding and Lactation Support to Families in Appalachia: A Mixed-Methods Study With Lactation Professionals and Supporters

摘要

Breastfeeding rates in Appalachia are lower than the rest of the United States and contribute to poor health outcomes in the region. Lactation professionals and supporters are critical to improving low breastfeeding rates, but there is a lack of research on their experiences providing support to families, particularly in Appalachia. This implementation research explored the facilitators and barriers that lactation professionals and supporters in Appalachia experience when supporting breastfeeding.