Insights in Public Health: Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies: Awareness and Perceptions of Existing Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression Support among Parents and Perinatal Health Care Providers in Hawai'i

摘要

To optimize both maternal and infant health outcomes, it is crucial that families access necessary postpartum support services in a timely fashion. Recommended cost-effective approaches include: enhanced breastfeeding training for healthcare providers; routine screenings for PPD symptoms; more educational classes for parents; improved access to, and awareness of, existing resources (including classes and support groups); and continued advocacy efforts. HMHB helps fulfill a valuable role, serving as a central agency for information and referrals (via website and social media, MothersCare phone line, and Text4baby), and anticipates continued growth to meet the identified postpartum support needs. The development of, and access to, more peer support groups for new mothers is one such tool being developed by HMHB to help fulfill the need for services and education. Outreach efforts to health providers are also currently being developed, and HMHB is actively looking for ways to collaborate with perinatal health providers to enhance awareness of resources to improve the health of mothers, children and families in Hawai‘i.