Breastfeeding support for mothers of low birthweight infants in hospitals in rural western Kenya: an exploratory study

BACKGROUND: One in ten newborns in sub-Saharan Africa weigh <2500 g (i.e. low birthweight [LBW]). Breastfeeding difficulties from birth are common among LBW infants. This study explored the use of trained peer mothers to deliver breastfeeding support to mothers of LBW infants in healthcare facilities in rural Kenya. METHODS: Five trained peer mothers provided breastfeeding support to 23 mothers of LBW infants across eight healthcare facilities in Homa Bay County. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 mothers, 10 healthcare providers and 5 peer mothers prior to and during the breastfeeding support intervention. Inductive thematic analysis was used. RESULTS: Three key themes were discovered: mothers valued the confidence the peer mothers gave them to breastfeed their LBW infants, peer mothers found that the training and their previous experience caring for LBW infants enabled them to work collaboratively with mothers and healthcare providers and healthcare providers valued the additional time that the peer mothers were able to spend providing breastfeeding support. CONCLUSIONS: Facility-based breastfeeding peer support for mothers with LBW infants was acceptable among mothers and healthcare providers in the context of resource constraints, potentially improving uptake of appropriate breastfeeding practices among vulnerable mother-infant pairs. This strategy warrants more robust evaluation.