Evaluating the prevention of premature cessation of exclusive breastfeeding in the general practice setting during the scheduled child immunisation consultation: a pilot study

The purpose of this study was to test and evaluate the feasibility and clinical acceptability of the use of an infant feeding data collection tool during the scheduled childhood immunisation consultation, and to explore the appropriateness of this consultation as a site for a future intervention aiming to increase exclusive breastfeeding through the provision of advice and support to mothers. This descriptive exploratory (quantitative and qualitative) study used purposeful sampling to enrol five general practices in Hobart, Tasmania. General practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses (PNs) trialled and evaluated a paper-based data collection tool over a 6-week period from May through to June 2011. Twenty-two (13 GPs; 2 GP registrars and 7 PNs) participants trialled and evaluated the data collection tool (n = 54). From the evaluation questionnaire, field notes and informal interviews (n = 7), six conceptual headings emerged: setting; time pressures; resources and collaboration; mothers need to talk; professional exclusion; and lack of collaboration. The scheduled childhood immunisation consultation provides an opportunity for mothers and primary health practitioners to talk briefly about infant feeding and for the collection of infant feeding data. However, the immunisation consultation is not well suited to a breastfeeding support intervention as it is already very busy focusing on immunisation issues. Consideration should be given to the evaluation of a dedicated general practice/primary health ‘infant feeding’ consultation.