Breastfeeding Research
Statewide Focus Groups for Texas WIC- Focus Groups
- In-Depth Interviews
- Message Testing
- National Review
- Presentation of Findings
- Breastfeeding
- Interconception Women's Health
- Infant Health and Safety
- Women
- Fathers
- Grandmothers
- Healthcare Providers
Texas WIC identified a goal to raise breastfeeding rates.
To explore this issue, SUMA conducted extensive research that included one-on-one interviews, best practice research, and focus groups with mothers, fathers, and grandmothers to reveal barriers to successful breastfeeding. Our researchers also held focus groups with nurses and WIC staff to hear about challenges as well as successful strategies for encouraging breastfeeding. Through this large-scale research, SUMA explored attitudes, barriers, and themes in order to develop appropriate messages, communications, and programmatic strategies that will leverage community strengths, target relevant barriers, and address optimal infant nutrition and care.
Based on SUMA’s recommendations, WIC has:
- Expanded promotion of breastfeeding services.
- Created additional breastfeeding resources for health care providers.
- Developed a new two-hour breastfeeding class for mothers and their support person (fathers, grandmothers, friends).