"They still treat the baby as the patient and the mother as the afterthought”: Exploring Structural Barriers to Infant Feeding Support Services for Ethnic Minority Families in Lambeth
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Authors
Lambeth Council's HDRC
Evelina London Community Children's Directorate
King's College London (Department of Nutritional Sciences)
Lambeth Council's HDRC
Evelina London Community Children's Directorate
King's College London (Department of Nutritional Sciences)
Contact
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Issue Date
06-May-26
Type
Conference Abstract
Language
Keywords
Working with people and communities , Embedded researchers , Rapid evaluation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background
This participatory action research project aims to address infant feeding health inequalities identified in Lambeth Together's 2024 Infant feeding health needs assessment, which revealed breastfeeding rates vary significantly by ethnicity and deprivation despite overall rates being higher nationally. While 54.9% of Lambeth babies are breastfed at 6-8 weeks (versus, 36.5% nationally), mothers from African, Caribbean, Black Caribbean, and Pakistani ethnicities are less likely to breastfeed . This work contributes to the conference's focus on health inequalities by identifying wider determinants perpetuating inequities in infant feeding service access and outcomes.
Objectives of study
• Identify structural barriers preventing ethnic minority families from accessing infant feeding support services in Lambeth
• Explore how service design may inadvertently reinforce racial inequities in care access
• Develop collaborative approaches to improve service accessibility for all Lambeth families
Stage at Submission
This project is currently in the active data collection phase. To date, two focus groups have been conducted with ethnic minority mothers (N=7 ) across two different children's center's in Lambeth, led by a community researcher and supported by a research practitioner. Through these FGDs, a central organizing theme was developed: "They still treat the baby as the patient and the mother as the afterthought." To address current sample limitations, the research team is planning additional recruitment focused on first-time pregnant mothers.
Methods
This study adopted a participatory action research methodology, working through a cross-collaborative partnership involving Evelina London Community Children's Directorate, Lambeth HDRC, King's College London, and a community researcher with subject matter expertise who was centrally involved throughout.
Learning so far
Early findings highlight systemic dehumanization of mothers. Participants emphasized need for personalized care that transcends basic representation. Cultural competency must go beyond tokenism. Approaches should be non-assumptive and adaptive. Education should begin earlier. Hospital discharge requires recognition as critical transition. These align with national research on structural racism in maternity care (MBRRACE-UK, 2024; Birthrights, 2022).
Potential for collaboration
Findings offer actionable insights for service redesign and a framework for addressing root causes of inequitable service utilization. The research team is seeking partnerships with other London authorities addressing similar disparities and researchers exploring structural barriers.