PREPARED BY: Healthy Families
DATE: 2026-05-14
SUBJECT: Comparison of Virtual and In-Person Breastfeeding Class Evaluation Findings
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
In 2024, there were 3,900 live births to residents of Windsor‑Essex County. Of these births, 35.7% of infants were exclusively breastfed prior to hospital discharge or within the first three days following a home birth, representing the lowest breastfeeding exclusivity rate observed in the past decade. This rate also remains well below the provincial average of 46.8% (Better Outcomes Registry and Network [BORN] Ontario, 2024).
To address local breastfeeding rates, the Windsor‑Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) offers breastfeeding education classes delivered in both in‑person and virtual formats. This report provides a brief comparison of key evaluation findings from these two delivery models.
DISCUSSION
Evaluation findings from the 2025 virtual and in‑person breastfeeding education classes indicate that both formats are effective in increasing participants’ preparedness and confidence related to breastfeeding. While the two delivery methods share several strengths, differences were observed in response rates, participant experiences, and suggested areas for improvement.
Similarities Across Both Class Formats
High Levels of Preparedness
Participants in both formats reported strong improvements in their preparedness to breastfeed.
- Virtual classes: 96.82% of respondents reported feeling more prepared to breastfeed
- In-person classes: 100% of respondents reported feeling more prepared
Preparedness was consistently high across key breastfeeding topics, including latching, positioning, recognizing feeding cues, managing challenges, and accessing community supports.
Increased Breastfeeding Confidence
Both formats contributed to increased breastfeeding self-efficacy:
- Virtual classes: 98.41% of respondents reported increased confidence
- In‑person classes: 88.89% of respondents reported increased confidence
Positive Participant Feedback
Participants in both formats described the classes as informative, well delivered, and supportive. Comments highlighted knowledgeable facilitators, clear explanations, and helpful resources.
Common Suggestions for Improvement
Participants in both delivery formats identified similar opportunities for enhancement, including:
- More detailed information on specific topics (e.g., combination feeding, mastitis, clogged ducts, and the emotional aspects of breastfeeding)
- Longer or multi‑session class formats to accommodate the volume of content
- Continued access to videos or educational materials following the class
Similar Promotion Sources
For both virtual and in-person classes, the WECHU website and social media were the most common ways participants learned about the program.
Differences Between Virtual and In-Person Findings
Survey Response Rates
- Virtual classes had a lower response rate (38.7%)
- In-person classes had a significantly higher response rate (86.3%)
Nature of Participant Feedback
Differences in feedback reflected the learning environment:
- Virtual classes: Participants noted technical challenges such as audio issues and small video displays
- In‑person classes: Participants expressed interest in more hands‑on practice and additional time using teaching tools
Program Reach
- Virtual classes: 163 participants reached
- In‑person classes: 146 participants reached
Summary
Both virtual and in‑person breastfeeding education classes were effective in increasing participant preparedness and confidence. Virtual delivery enhanced program reach and accessibility, while in‑person classes supported hands‑on learning and interaction. Differences in participant feedback reflect the inherent strengths and limitations of each delivery format.
Next Steps
While the breastfeeding classes meet immediate learning objectives, they have not resulted in improvements in community‑level breastfeeding rates and currently reach only approximately 8% of prenatal individuals in Windsor‑Essex County. This limited reach reduces population‑level impact and highlights the need to complement direct education with broader system‑ and community‑level strategies.
To support this approach, WECHU departments are working collaboratively to assess declining breastfeeding rates and respond through coordinated, cross‑departmental initiatives. These efforts include relaunching the Infant Feeding Surveillance Survey to gather updated data on perinatal food insecurity and breastfeeding disparities, which will inform future advocacy and programming. Additionally, the Healthy Families department now administers a validated food insecurity screening tool, enabling updated care plans and prioritized referrals for income optimization services and infant feeding support.
In 2026, WECHU will continue to offer breastfeeding classes with targeted efforts to increase participation among priority populations. Planned enhancements include collecting demographic data to better assess program reach, implementing tailored communication strategies, and completing a full program review to determine the ongoing role and scope of class‑based education within the broader breastfeeding strategy.
Aligned with draft OPHS modernization and its emphasis on upstream approaches, WECHU will also expand efforts to create breastfeeding‑supportive environments across Windsor‑Essex County. This includes promoting the About Breastfeeding website as a standardized, evidence‑informed resource and supporting community partners to adopt and embed the resource within service pathways to ensure consistent messaging and continuity of support for families.
Together, these strategies aim to strengthen both individual preparedness and the broader systems influencing breastfeeding outcomes, supporting sustainable, population‑level improvements across the region.