Department of Public Health, Policy and Social Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation research (LIFT), Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
J Hum Nutr Diet. 2025 Feb;38(1):e13367. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13367. Epub 2024 Oct 23.
Facebook groups providing breastfeeding support are widespread. Some are created and/or facilitated by midwives, but little is known about their motivations or experiences. The present study aimed to examine how midwives involved in providing breastfeeding support via local Breastfeeding support Facebook (BSF) groups perceive the value of this provision and their experiences of creating these services and engaging with mothers online.
Participants were recruited through Facebook advertising and snowballing techniques. UK registered midwives with experience of providing breastfeeding support via Facebook groups were eligible. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using Microsoft Teams/Zoom with nine midwives between July and September 2021. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted.
Three themes, each with three subthemes, were identified: (1) Imperatives and Value; (2) Goodwill & Lack of Resources; and (3) Community of Practice. Theme 1 described groups as necessary for meeting current mothers' needs and improving low breastfeeding rates. Theme 2 highlighted that BSF groups rely on voluntary work by midwives and peer supporters, with sustainability and recognition of their efforts being major concerns. Theme 3 showed that BSF groups function as communities of practice, offering social learning opportunities and benefits for midwives.
Midwives became involved in delivering online support motivated by a belief in the value of this provision, but acted as volunteers and felt unsupported by wider services. This has impacts for the sustainability of this provision regardless of its value. However, midwives reported significant benefits from involvement. Thus, there is a need for services to provide additional guidance and investment.
提供母乳喂养支持的 Facebook 群组很普遍。有些是由助产士创建和/或提供的，但对它们的动机或经验知之甚少。本研究旨在探讨参与通过当地母乳喂养支持 Facebook（BSF）群组提供母乳喂养支持的助产士如何看待这种服务的价值，以及他们创建这些服务和与母亲在线互动的经验。
通过 Facebook 广告和滚雪球技术招募参与者。具有通过 Facebook 群组提供母乳喂养支持经验的英国注册助产士有资格参加。2021 年 7 月至 9 月期间，使用 Microsoft Teams/Zoom 对 9 名助产士进行了半结构化访谈。采用反思性主题分析进行分析。
确定了三个主题，每个主题都有三个子主题：（1）必要性和价值；（2）善意和资源匮乏；（3）实践社区。主题 1 描述了群组是满足当前母亲需求和提高低母乳喂养率的必要条件。主题 2 强调 BSF 群组依赖助产士和同行支持者的自愿工作，可持续性和对他们努力的认可成为主要关注点。主题 3 表明 BSF 群组作为实践社区运作，为助产士提供社交学习机会和好处。
助产士参与提供在线支持的动机是相信这种服务的价值，但作为志愿者，他们感到不受更广泛服务的支持。这对这种服务的可持续性产生了影响，无论其价值如何。然而，助产士报告说从中获得了重大收益。因此，服务需要提供额外的指导和投资。
