PAMF Health Education’s Breastfeeding Support Seeks Survey Participants

Posted on Apr 7, 2012 | 0 comments

Ongoing Project Provides Insights into Best Breastfeeding Support for New Mothers

Knowing that breastfeeding is the healthiest choice for you and your baby is one thing – but what motivates moms to start and continue breastfeeding and what makes them stop? To learn just that and tailor our support for new mothers and their families, PAMF’s Education Division is conducting a large, ongoing survey of breastfeeding mothers called the Bay Area Breastfeeding Experience Survey (BABES).

The project, which follows BABES participants until they stop breastfeeding, has now been underway for two years. You’ll find the most recent highlights from the survey on our BABES website. Data is updated regularly by the team.

“PAMF is already a very strong advocate of breastfeeding and we have some wonderful services, classes and resources in place,” says Sally Twesten, a health education manager, who together with Nancy Brown, Ph.D., an education projects manager, and Leigha Winters, a research coordinator, directs the BABES team. “The findings from the survey will help us take the next step and further improve our programs and support for our breastfeeding families.”

“Although we have a small number of women participating in the survey and early conclusions may not be representative, we have already learned a lot from our project,” says Brown. “For example, we found out that pregnant women who know their obstetrician strongly recommends breastfeeding only, without adding formula, for the first year of the baby’s life are more likely to make that their goal. These new moms are also more confident they can do it.”

As well as the survey outcomes information on the BABES website, you can also take a look at the BABES findings summary that includes information of interest to the public and possible teaching opportunities for doctors and their care teams.

Almost 400 new moms have participated in the online survey so far.

BABES Is Still Looking for Participants

The BABES team invites all PAMF patients who are currently breastfeeding or are in the last trimester of pregnancy to take part in the BABES project. Find out more on the BABES website or call the hotline at 650-565-4474.

“PAMF cares for 6,000 new moms every year – we’d love to have them all participate in this project and learn from their experiences,” says Brown.