Mother-to-mother breastfeeding peer support: The Breast Buddies project

This article presents a case study of a local social initiative in Gravesham, Kent, of a mother-to-mother breastfeeding peer-supporters programme, known as ‘Breast Buddies’. The geographical location in this study has areas of high deprivation and the aim of the Breast Buddies programme is to increase the uptake and duration of breastfeeding in order to improve the health of children in this area. The background and history of the Breast Buddies scheme is presented followed by the findings from an evaluation that was undertaken into the scheme. The training programme for Breast Buddies has now been accredited by the University of Greenwich and offers successful participants the opportunity to gain academic credit for their training, which is improving their educational and employment opportunities and increasing their potential for social mobility.