A Local Community's Approach to Breastfeeding Promotion

An understanding of theories of group development and the program planning process are critical to any community group's effective functioning. This paper describes the developmental stages experienced by a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary regional breastfeeding committee. The stages of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning devised by Tuckman and Jensen are clearly evident in the growth of this group and can be useful to any other group. The basis for the group's decision-making regarding tasks and activities are addressed by the three health promotion planning approaches: education, policy development, and environmental support. This paper outlines the steps utilized by the committee to develop a series of breastfeeding promotion factsheets as one of its major activities.