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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand the determinants of optimal provision of support by breastfeeding peer counselors (BFPCs). The specific aims of this project were to determine if there is a difference in the extent of breastfeeding support provided by paid versus volunteer BFPCs and if training is different between these two groups. Participants (n = 847) in this cross-sectional internet-based survey were mostly White/Caucasian (74.9%), college-educated (59.0%), and paid BFPCs (63.8%). Full-time paid BFPCs were more likely to utilize support strategies such as referring clients to social service agencies (OR = 13.18). Because of the disparities in BFPC training and utilization of breastfeeding support between paid and volunteer BFPCs, there is a need for standardization of BFPC training curricula and continuing education requirement.