Table 1 Participant characteristics by metropolitan and regional areas in the state of New South Wales, Australia

Age (n = 319)

< 30 yrs.

19 (12)

25 (15)

44

30–40 yrs.

32 (21)

57 (35)

89

41–50 yrs.

43 (28)

34 (21)

77

> 50 yrs.

61 (39)

48 (29)

109

First professional

Australia

148 (95)

149 (91)

297

Registration (n = 297)

United Kingdom

3 (2)

7 (4)

10

Other

4 (3)

8 (5)

12

Highest qualification

Current student

2 (1)

5 (3)

7

(n = 168)

Certificate

9 (6)

21 (13)

30

Grad Dip/Certificate

16 (10)

12 (7)

28

Diploma

19 (12)

17 (10)

36

Bachelor

80 (52)

88 (54)

168

Masters

27 (17)

20 (12)

47

Other

1 (1)

1

PhD

1 (1)

1 (1)

2

Main area of work

Lactation Consultant

2 (1)

2

Continuity of care model

18 (12)

8 (5)

26

Antenatal Clinic

7 (5)

3 (2)

10

Birth unit

10 (6)

15 (9)

25

Postnatal ward

24 (15)

46 (28)

70

NICU/SCN

9 (6)

18 (11)

27

Rotational midwife

61 (39)

36 (22)

97

Midwifery in the home

4 (3)

13 (8)

17

Student midwife/nurse

2 (1)

4 (2)

6

Other

20 (13)

19 (12)

39

Clinical role

Clinical midwifery consultant

14 (9)

14 (9)

28

Clinical midwifery specialist

4 (3)

1 (1)

5

Midwife educator

12 (8)

7 (4)

19

Midwife

100 (65)

104 (63)

204

Manager

6 (4)

5 (3)

11

Nurse

4 (3)

14 (9)

18

Nurse educator

2 (1)

4 (2)

6

Other

11 (7)

8 (5)

19

Student nurse/midwife

2 (1)

7 (4)

9

Years practiced

< 5

63 (41)

71 (43)

134

5–9

30 (19)

38 (23)

68

≥ 10

62 (40)

55 (34)

117

Provides breastfeeding support (n = 319)

No

9 (6)

8 (5)

17

Yes

146 (94)

156 (95)

302

Years providing breastfeeding support

< 5

41 (28)

54 (35)

95

5–9

29 (20)

38 (24)

67

≥ 10

76 (52)

64 (41)

140

IBCLC

No

118 (76)

120 (73)

238

Previously but not re-certified

12 (8)

6 (4)

18

Working towards

6 (4)

14 (9)

20

Yes- currently certified

19 (12)

24 (15)

43