BABES Survey Frequently Asked Questions
Every hour of every day, almost 500 new mothers across the United States face the same decision: how to feed their newborns.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) invites its pregnant patients to participate in the Bay Area Breastfeeding Experience Survey (BABES). By sharing your experiences as long as you are breastfeeding, you will be contributing to the success of future mothers and babies.
- Who may participate in the survey?
- How is the survey being conducted?
- What languages are the surveys available in?
- How long will the surveys be given?
- Why is PAMF collecting this information?
- Who uses this information?
- How much time will this take?
- What if I can't finish every survey on time?
- Is my doctor aware of these surveys?
- Who do I contact with questions?
Who may participate in the survey?
The survey is open to any PAMF patient who is expecting a baby and is in her last trimester of pregnancy, including mothers expecting multiples. The survey is not limited to first-time mothers.
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How is the survey being conducted?
The survey is primarily done online, with provisions for mothers to take the surveys on a computer in one of our Community Health Resource Centers (Dublin, Fremont, Mountain View and Palo Alto centers).
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What languages are the surveys available in?
The surveys are only available in English.
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How long will the surveys be given?
BABES is designed to follow a new mother from an initial survey in the last trimester of pregnancy through when she stops breastfeeding. Because some mothers elect to continue breastfeeding beyond infancy and into toddlerhood, our goal is to continue the study for a minimum of two years so that we can follow these women until they stop breastfeeding.
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Why is PAMF collecting this information?
Breastfeeding has health benefits for infants and mothers that are widely recognized. PAMF's Education Division is committed to educating and supporting mothers who are considering breastfeeding. Your answers to our survey questions will help us understand the kind of support mothers and babies need, when they need it and how they need it.
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Who uses this information?
The information collected from the surveys will be used by the Education Division to expand, develop and improve programs and resources that educate and support women in making the choice to breastfeed their babies.
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How much time will this take?
We will ask you to complete a series of surveys and accept one telephone call. How many surveys you will be asked to complete depends on how long you breastfeed.
The surveys can be done online at home or in one of our Community Health Resource Centers (Dublin, Fremont, Mountain View and Palo Alto centers).
The initial survey is done during your last trimester. When your baby is born, you will receive a phone call to collect basic information about the birth. Then, we will send you surveys by e-mail when your baby is 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of age, or until you are no longer breastfeeding.
It will generally take 10 to 15 minutes to fill out each survey.
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What if I can't finish every survey on time?
We understand that life with a baby can get very busy. It is important to complete the surveys when you get them so that your baby will be the right age. But if you are late with a survey, send it when you can.
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Is my doctor aware of these surveys?
PAMF obstetricians, pediatricians and family medicine doctors are all aware of the surveys and supportive of having their patients participate.
Information gained from the surveys will improve breastfeeding education and support given by the Education Division and PAMF health care providers.
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Who do I contact with questions?
Please contact the BABES Hotline at 650-853-6512.
Return to BABES home page.
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