Peer-Assisted Breastfeeding Success (PABS): The Impact of Peer Support on Mothers' Breastfeeding Goals

Breastfeeding is the natural and biologically normal way of feeding infants and young children. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) recommend that infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life with continued breastfeeding to 2 years and beyond along with introducing appropriate complementary foods. However, Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates worldwide and in 2022 it was highlighted that only, 31.1% of babies were exclusively breastfed at their 3-month visit with the public health nurse. There is currently no Irish data on mother’s experiences of individual peer support services offered by voluntary organisations. 
 
This project aims to investigate various aspects of peer support, including its influence on breastfeeding duration, exclusivity, and maternal satisfaction. This project will assess the effectiveness of the Friends of Breastfeeding buddy program in helping women to achieve their breastfeeding goals. It will uncover barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding success, informing future interventions and breastfeeding policies. It will also advise the development of evidence-based breastfeeding support programs, training protocols for peer supporters. 
 

Supervisors: Dr. Áine O’Connor (TUS), Dr. Liz O’Sullivan (TUD). 

MSc Student

Khayla Timothy

As a newly qualified midwife with a foundation in both clinical practice and academic research, I bring a unique blend of hands-on experience and a passion for advancing midwifery care. My 36-week internship provided me with invaluable exposure to clinical practice, while my role as co-author in the publications and ongoing submissions to the Midwifery Journal honed my analytical skills and deepened my understanding of evidence-based practice. I’ve demonstrated leadership and collaboration by serving on multiple conference committees, including the National All-Ireland Midwifery Conference, and excelled in public speaking, winning Best Speaker at the NMBI Student Debate in 2022. My international volunteering experience in Uganda reflects my commitment to global health and compassionate midwifery care. I look forward to embarking on my new journey as a student conducting a master’s by research. Through further education and research, I aim to contribute to the implementation of Ireland’s National Maternity Strategy by improving the quality and safety of maternity care. By incorporating evidence-based practices, I hope to enhance woman-centred care and positive outcomes for mothers and babies both in the clinical setting and the community.

Publications

Lloyd, B., Timothy, K., Bradshaw, C., and Doody, O. (2024) ‘Cultivating student researchers: Reflections on a summer undergraduate student fellowship scheme’, Midwifery, 133, 103989-, available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2024.103989.