Maternal and co-parental experiences and satisfaction with a co-parenting breastfeeding eHealth intervention in Canada.

BACKGROUND

Suboptimal breastfeeding rates are a public health priority. Interventions that include both breastfeeding women and their co-parents can increase breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity. eHealth can be an effective means of designing such interventions, as parents increasingly use the internet to access health information. The objective of this study was to determine maternal and co-parent satisfaction with an eHealth intervention.

METHODS

The study was part of a larger randomized controlled trial that took place in Canada between March 2018 and April 2020. Data was collected from mothers (n = 56) and co-parents (n = 47).

INTERVENTION

The eHealth intervention group received: 1) continued access to an eHealth breastfeeding co-parenting resource from the prenatal period to 52 weeks postpartum; 2) a virtual meeting with a research assistant; and 3) 6 weekly emails reminders. Follow-up data were collected via online questionnaires completed at 2 weeks post enrollment and 4, 12, 26, and 52 weeks postpartum to determine use and satisfaction with the intervention components.

FINDINGS

The majority of mothers and co-parents independently reviewed the eHealth resource (95% and 91%, respectively), with higher use in the prenatal period. Participants found the resource to be useful (92%), informative (93%), targeted both parents (90%), and easy to understand (97%). Participants indicated the resource was comprehensive, easily navigated, convenient, and engaging.

APPLICATION TO PRACTICE

Providing mothers and their co-parents with breastfeeding co-parenting support via an eHealth intervention delivers accessible, comprehensive information which may assist them in meeting their breastfeeding goals.