Critical factors underpinning breastfeeding support: the perspective of trained support providers

Enhancing breastfeeding support service provision requires a critical understanding of the provider perspective. Interviews with 24 trained providers, including midwives and peer supporters were conducted in Northern Ireland. Challenges reported included supporting women within an under-resourced system and a society unfamiliar with breastfeeding as a social and embodied practice. A thematic analysis was synthesised to identify positive and negative factors underpinning support which included differences in breastfeeding value perceptions, role-based struggles, and misinterpretation of normal newborn behaviours. Key positive factors, including exposure to breastfeeding, experiential learning from those with breastfeeding expertise, team cohesion, and innovative use of telecommunication enabled effective support for women, highlighting important areas for service improvements.