10 Must-Dos for Successful Breastfeeding Support Groups

1. Identify the target group for the breastfeeding support group. Knowing the target group is critical for the organization and sustainability of your support group. The Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association's (BMBFA's) target group is pregnant and/or breastfeeding black women. Other support groups may have other important specifications. For example, a hospital may choose to target mothers of preterm babies. A community group may target teen mothers or a particular neighborhood/region. Give the group a name reflective of your target group. BMBFA's support group is named “Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Club.” If the meeting is held in a hospital, be sure that the group name includes something related to the hospital or unit. A teen support group name might be hip and chic, to reflect the age and culture of the demographic. Identifying and relating to your target audience will get your breastfeeding support group off to a great start and keep it moving forward.

2. Select a location to convene meetings for the breastfeeding support group. The meeting location must be convenient, affordable, and comfortable. Knowing where the target audience congregates is an important factor to consider when deciding where to host meetings. BMBFA's meetings are held in a community center that sits in the heart of a black community. The center is free of charge, clean, and easily accessible for the women in that community. A hospital-based support group would most likely assemble in the hospital because that is a common place of interest for the mothers of that group. Travel to the support group might be a consideration for hospitals. Therefore, hospitals may consider including transportation into the budget for mothers in need. Selecting a setting that offers convenience, affordability, and comfort leads to a welcoming environment for mothers and children.

3. Include a member from the target audience to be in a leadership role in all facets of the breastfeeding support group. It is critical that at least one of the leaders of the group represent the target audience. Select leaders who are dedicated, passionate, reliable, and ethical. The women who began BMBFA's meetings had shown a strong commitment to the cause. These women worked diligently months before any support group meetings occurred. Some of the tasks included forming a legal structure, participating in outreach events to recruit mothers, writing grants to private institutes, and participating in fundraising events. Most important is that at least one of the leaders of the project represented someone in the target group.

4. Determine the method for active community outreach to recruit members for the breastfeeding support group. Active community outreach is important to do for recruitment purposes. Outreach is also important to do after the group has formed because regularly adding new faces to the group keeps the meetings fresh and energized. The most important thing about active community outreach is that it adds a real face to the group. Few participants will decide to join a group after only seeing a random flyer or an e-mail. However, people are more likely to join when they have had a face-to-face conversation about the group from a trusted individual or organization. Organizations become credible when they are seen out in the community working to recruit people. BMBFA began active outreach and recruitment at a community event hosted by a major philanthropic organization. A hospital that is forming a breastfeeding support group for mothers of preterm babies may choose to have a peer mother speak about the group to other mothers of common interest in the hospital. When mothers are asked how they were referred to BMBFA, very rarely do they say through a random flyer. The referral is most often connected to BMBFA's outreach efforts, a respected person, or a trusted organization. This is an active and effective approach. Be sure to conduct outreach efforts in the places where the target group is likely to gather.

5. Build a network of community partners to advance the breastfeeding support group. BMBFA has a wide array of community partners, some of which include the local Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, local hospitals, maternal–infant health programs, community centers, local breastfeeding coalitions and other nonprofits. A partnership is a two-way street. The group may have to give a little to get a little. BMBFA also supports other organizations by participating in their events and referring clients. Decide which organizations are beneficial partners. Join forces with those groups and move your mission forward.

6. Select a person from the target audience to facilitate the discussion for the breastfeeding support group. The facilitator's job is to make the discussion easier by keeping the conversation fluid. She does not need to be an expert on breastfeeding because this is a breastfeeding support group—not a breastfeeding class. BMBFA asks mothers in advance to volunteer to facilitate the discussion. The volunteer then selects a breastfeeding topic of their choice as the main discussion point for the meeting. This is a crucial component of the group because mothers begin to have a sense of belonging. When mothers have a leadership role, they are more likely to attend and participate. Select a different volunteer facilitator from the target group each meeting.

7. Create a plan of action for eliciting funds for the breastfeeding support group. Funding is a necessary component of forming a breastfeeding support group. BMBFA received its first funding by hosting a fundraising event at a local restaurant. Not only are fundraising events good for raising funds, the events are also a good way to do active community outreach. Other funding was raised by writing and receiving minigrants from private foundations. The monies that were raised were used to purchase food, incentives, gifts, printing, and other random supplies. Other contributions were provided in the form of in-kind donations. These in-kind contributions included the venue for the meeting place and the time and effort of each volunteer. Create a budget and search for minigrant opportunities, fundraising events, and in-kind contributions that are purposeful for your group.

8. Schedule the meetings at a time when the target audience is available for the breastfeeding support group. BMBFA keeps the target audience in mind when scheduling days and time for breastfeeding support group meetings. BMBFA has held breastfeeding support groups in the evening for over 4 years. The evening hour is particularly important for BMBFA's target group because many of the mothers work in the daytime. The group also meets at the same time each month for consistency. For example, meetings are held every 3^rd Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Consistency is a vital part of retaining mothers. Mothers must have a reasonable advance notice of when the meeting will take place. Also, if the meeting is to take place in a hospital, at lunchtime, for a group of mothers visiting their preterm babies, food will need to be provided, or ask mothers to bring a bag lunch. If there is no budget for meals, it is best to meet outside of mealtime hours and provide snacks. Knowing your target audience is key when scheduling.

9. Promote the breastfeeding support group. Advertising is another necessary component to begin and sustain groups. BMBFA advertises in many ways, including local magazines, flyers, social media, the BMBFA Webpage, e-mail announcements, and text message reminders. Determine the best way to reach the target group and begin promoting.

10. Develop a structure for the breastfeeding support group. Although groups should be informal, having a consistent and predictable plan for the meeting shows that the group is organized and focused. BMBFA has created a meeting format that includes the order of events, for example, sign-in, introductions, topic discussion, open discussion, meal, clean-up, and exit. The mother facilitating the discussion receives the printed format in advance, so that she can maintain the order of events. Remain flexible during the start-up period. The structure may need to be revised until you get a smooth flow of activity. The most important thing about developing a structure is that the order of the meeting becomes familiar to the participating mothers.