Development of a website for breastfeeding women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To identify information and support needs of women with pre-pregnancy diabetes who wish to breastfeed, from the perspectives of women themselves and from health professionals, and to develop a resource informed by these data.

Methods: Women with pre-pregnancy diabetes were recruited from a high-risk pregnancy clinic at a large metropolitan health service in Melbourne and from a major consumer organisation. They were invited to participate in a brief, online survey about current and preferred information and support about breastfeeding. Health professionals at the same health service participated in a focus group, about essential content for a resource on breastfeeding for women with pre-pregnancy diabetes. Informed by the data from the women and health professionals, a website was developed. Preliminary review of the website was conducted by women with pre-pregnancy diabetes, and an expert advisory group including clinicians and consumer representatives.

Results: Six women participated in the online survey; most indicated that they would prefer a website rather than other formats. Four health professionals attended a focus group. Both groups of participants reported that, for women with pre-pregnancy diabetes, current sources of information on breastfeeding are either not relevant or based on data less applicable to Australian conditions. Based on information suggested by women and health professionals, a mobile-friendly website was developed using plain language and carefully selected images, and links to further support including a dedicated, private, moderated Facebook support group. Preliminary review indicates that the website is informative, easy to read and appealing.

Conclusion: Women with pre-pregnancy diabetes and health professionals contributed directly to the content and format of a new resource on breastfeeding. It is likely that the provision of tailored evidence-based breastfeeding information and support via resources such as this, during pregnancy and the early postpartum period, will assist women with pre-pregnancy diabetes to make informed decisions about breastfeeding, and enhance rates of breastfeeding intentions, initiation and duration.