1. Sure Start Bilsthorpe, Blidworth and Clipstone: A local evaluation of breastfeeding Bilsthorpe, Blidworth and Clipstone

2. Previous Research has shown… Breast feeding rates vary according to –Social class –Age of the mother –Level of education –Use of peer support programmes These findings have informed the local breast- feeding strategy for Sure Start BBC

3. Questions for the Evaluation What are the influential factors in infant feeding decisions? How are different interventions valued by the parents accessing them? How have local breast-feeding rates been influenced by –breastfeeding support group –incentive scheme –peer counsellor support?

4. Methodology User satisfaction survey asked –What factors influenced infant feeding decisions? –Were respondents entitled to milk token? –What did respondents think of Sure Start breast- feeding support? A comparison of breastfeeding rates across the Sure Start area and between this area and two neighbouring areas

5. Results of Survey 24% response rate from 623 questionnaires 24% of respondents were eligible for milk tokens 37% of respondents who were eligible for milk tokens had breastfed 61% of respondents not eligible for milk tokens had breastfed Breastfeeding support services were given the highest rating out of any Sure Start services Respondents reported the influential factors in their infant feeding decisions

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10. Comparison of Breastfeeding Rates Breast-feeding rates in the Sure Start area were compared with rates from two nearby areas 1)Bilsthorpe, Blidworth and Clipstone, the Sure Start area, with all 3 support services 2)Edwinstowe with only standard support, but lower levels of deprivation 3)Ollerton with only standard support, but levels of deprivation similar to those of BBC

11. N.b. breastfeeding support services began in the quarter of July – September 2002

17. Future Evaluation Work Focus groups with members of Sure Start to further explore reasons behind feeding decisions Interviews with Peer Counsellors from the Sure Start area Cost-effectiveness exercise to determine the added value of Sure Start services