Supporting Healthy Mothers intervention
The Supporting Healthy Mothers intervention consisted of two components: 1) unconditional cash transfers, and 2) personalized infant feeding support. To develop the intervention we utilized previous research and applied Transitions Theory as a theoretical framework [The second intervention component consisted of five personalized, in-person, infant feeding support sessions. The sessions were delivered by a locally trained, experienced doula and lactation specialist who assessed women’s practices, addressed challenges, and provided teaching about optimal infant feeding and care. The first infant feeding support session was delivered during pregnancy shortly after enrollment, and follow-up sessions occurred at 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks postpartum. Detailed information about the lactation sessions is outlined in a separate publication [Intervention group participants completed surveys using REDCap at enrollment, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months postpartum. In addition, at each postpartum encounter, infant weights were measured [At each of the eight research encounters, participants received refreshments and were reimbursed 800KES ($5.80 USD) for their transportation expenses (in addition to the cash transfer).