IBriS:Interventions supporting Breastfeeding in Substance dependency
Research type
Research Study
Full title
IBriS Trial - Interventions supporting establishment of breastfeeding for women who are substance dependent
IRAS ID
131120
Contact name
Sonya MacVicar
Contact email
Research summary
Increasing breastfeeding is a key government initiative with particular emphasis on disadvantaged groups, such as the substance dependent, where health inequalities are most prevalent. Substance dependent women have problems establishing breastfeeding due to practical difficulties of feeding an infant experiencing withdrawal symptoms and the psychological impact of low self-confidence and expectation of failure. Breastfeeding can reduce severity of neonatal withdrawal and bolster maternal self-esteem as the mother is directly contributing to her child’s recovery.
The research question is whether the provision of in-hospital breastfeeding intervention for methadone maintained women is feasible, acceptable to mothers and effective in establishing breastfeeding. Secondary outcome is impact of breastfeeding on the severity of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS-term used for range of withdrawal symptoms).
The research has two phases:
Phase 1
Inform and develop intervention (i) systematic literature review of current evidence base and theoretical underpinning of breastfeeding support in disadvantaged groups, (ii) establish advisory group of health care professionals and lay representative, addressing facilitators and barriers to breastfeeding from perspective of service providers and users, (iii) interview post-natal substance dependent women to explore their experience of breastfeeding support and views on the proposed intervention.
Phase 2
Evaluate feasibility and acceptability of intervention (i) pilot randomised control trial (n=20). Eligible participants will be methadone maintained women who deliver healthy, term infant at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. Control group receive standard care as per Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative recommendations whilst intervention cohort given additional one-to-one practical, motivational and educational breastfeeding support in-hospital for 5 days.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
13/NS/0081
Date of REC Opinion
28 Aug 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion