Lay summary
I am currently employed as the breastfeeding promoter/educator for Te Puna Ora O Mataatua, which is a kaupapa Maori health provider that delivers health services throughout the Mataatua Rohe (Eastern Bay of Plenty).
The objectives of this research are to explain how Maori women manage breastfeeding, to provide an insight into the barriers, and support Maori women's need, and determine how health care practitioners might be able to support them to successfully breastfeed up to and beyond six months.
The research findings could have the potential to assist Maori women be more informed and better prepared to breastfeed their infant, and to also provide health care practitioners, District Health Board and policy-makers with information that will inform and assists them to support Maori women to successfully breastfeed up to and beyond six months.