‘It Takes a Village’ : The power of peer support in closing maternal health gaps for women from diverse ethnic groups.
By Chioma Wuche
Community based support is often the difference between surviving and thriving in early motherhood.
Whether it’s a WhatsApp group, a friend who has a shared experience, or a fellow mum offering advice at the right moment – these interactions do more than just easing anxieties and providing emotional reassurance. They are often a vital link to better health outcomes.
When we look at breastfeeding, statistics show that children who are breastfed longer have better long-term health outcomes. For mothers, the benefits are linked to improved mental wellbeing. But the opportunity to access these benefits isn’t equally shared.
In the UK just 47% of Black babies over ten days old are exclusively breastfed, compared to over 60% of white babies. By eight weeks, the gap widens further, only 36% of Black babies are still totally breastfed, compared to 52% of white babies.
These differences are not solely based on a mothers personal choice. They can be traced to a wider issue on how well is support that is being offered, is it reaching the right audiences, and do black and brown mums feel that it is for them.
Our recent research with Black and Brown mothers in exploring the feeding experience showed that while clinical advice is valued, it is not always relevant to them culturally and practically. Many mums shared that they were navigating a storm of conflicting advice, some often turning to experienced family members, their community, or Tiktok and whatsapp groups to make sense of it all. Which can result in feelings of being overwhelmed and confused.
It’s in these grey areas, where clinical advice from midwives/health visitors tapers off and cultural norms take over, so many women are left to figure things out for themselves. That’s where peer support really comes into play.
Often, mums aren’t looking for the generic textbook answers, they want support that feels relatable, informed, and culturally safe. Whether that is chatting with other mums, sharing experiences in a WhatsApp group, going along to a stay and play or hearing stories from second time mums, that kind of peer support offers mums information and advice they can actually trust.
We heard repeatedly that services like HENRY and Family Hubs were seen as valuable sources for support but they are not always visible or accessible to mums of colour. Many weren’t aware of them, didn’t feel confident turning up alone, or didn’t see anyone like themselves in the materials.
Overall, when mums feel like the support around them resonates with them and is culturally relevant and understands their realities, they’re more likely to engage and thrive. When we say “It takes a village” this is one of familiarity, with faces that are welcoming, and advice that is shaped by real life experience, not just expertise.
Although peer support won’t solve every problem, it can close gaps in confidence, trust, and access and that, in turn, can close gaps in maternal and infant health.
To find out more, please email: Chioma@neighbourlylab.com