Commentary on Kaunonen M, Hannula L and Tarkka M-T (2012) A systematic review of peer support interventions for breastfeeding. Journal of Clinical Nursing 21, 1943-1954

摘要

Kaunaonen et al. (2012) systematic review of peer support interventions for breastfeeding in developed countries is both timely and welcome as such strategies are becoming more widely implemented and have been associated with increased rates of initiation and longer duration of lactation among child-bearingwomen (Britten et al. 2006). Peer support schemes also resonate with the 'Big Society' ethos of the incumbent UK coalition government (Clark 2010). Studies have also identified positive benefits for breastfeeding peer supporters, particularly those from deprived populations. These include personal empowerment, increased self-esteem, educational opportunity and a sense of external validation: for some, this has catalysed other positively construed transformations in their lives such as commencement of further education (Raine 2003, Britten et al. 2006,Hoddinottei a/.2006). This was a comprehensive and ambitious review of peer support interventions in breastfeeding, with strong methodology, using well-defined inclusion criteria. It is limited to developed nations, utilising evidence from quantitative and qualitative studies. Kaunaonen et al. (2012) sought to identify the categories of peer supporters; their training needs; the nature of interventions used; and their effectiveness in supporting breastfeeding.