Factors that influence women’s engagement with breastfeeding support: a qualitative evidence synthesis

To assess evidence on factors that facilitate or constrain women’s engagement and satisfaction with breastfeeding support during two particular phases:

(i) initiation; and

(ii) continuation.

We further intend to integrate our findings with four Cochrane Reviews on effectiveness of breastfeeding support (Balogun 2016; Lumbiganon 2016; McFadden 2017; Whitford 2017). The specific focus of the QES is:

  • to identify (contextual or personal) factors that impact on women’s responsiveness to and satisfaction with breastfeeding support;
  • to examine choice patterns, perceived benefits and challenges of engaging with or perceiving breastfeeding support;
  • to identify characteristics of the populations, interventions or outcomes that may be important to consider in future updates of the linked Cochrane Reviews of effectiveness (Balogun 2016; Lumbiganon 2016; McFadden 2017; Whitford 2017). This refers to potential additional subgroups, outcome measures, and review questions that could be taken into account in future updates of these intervention reviews;
  • to provide suggestions on how to improve breastfeeding support programmes to increase the level of satisfaction of women with support and to better match the expectations and needs of women.
Our review questions
  • How do women experience breastfeeding support programmes?
    • Which factors influence women’s overall engagement and responsiveness to breastfeeding support services or programmes (contextual or personal, such as attitudes)?
    • Which factors influence women’s satisfaction with breastfeeding support services or programmes (contextual or personal)?
    • How do they personally relate to breastfeeding support services and programmes?
  • What are the perceptions and misperceptions on breastfeeding support programmes in women?
    • What do they identify as potential success factors of breastfeeding services or programmes?
    • What do they identify as potential failures and disappointments of such services and programmes?
    • What factors impact upon the choice of women to engage with or take part in breastfeeding support?

This is a protocol.