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offered. 4.4 Data collection tools The following were developed: · An information sheet (Appendix D) · A consent form (Appendix E) · A semi structured interview schedule (Appendix F) · A descriptor sheet with interviewer, date, duration of interview, age group, age of baby, number of children in the home, interviewee number (Appendix G). The interview schedule included a series of question prompts. It was piloted within the research team using a role play approach and a few minor alterations made. The need to listen to the views of mothers views but not give advice about feeding or other matters was recognised. 4.5 Interview process Before each interview commenced, the mother was given an opportunity to re-read the information sheet. Two copies of the consent form were completed, one being for the mother to keep. Tissues, water and toys for their baby were made available. The interviews were recorded on password-protected audio recording equipment and lasted 30-50 minutes. General questions preceded in-depth questions. After the interview, mothers were reminded they could withdraw consent within a two-week period, although no mothers actioned this. Once all the interviews were completed, the Children’s Centres managers were emailed to thank them for their support. 4.6 Data analysis All data protection requirements were adhered to throughout the research, including the use of password-protected sound files at the time of data collection and the use of Breastfeeding in South Gloucestershire: Mothers’ Early Experiences of Infant Feeding 12 Sharepoint, a password protected site for data storage. This was set by the South Gloucestershire Council IT Department to enable shared access to documents by the research team, in both the Council and University. Sound files stored were labelled with a number, date, initials of interviewer and an interviewee pseudonym. Sound files were transcribed in full by someone independent to the research team; the transcriber lived in a neighbouring council area and had no knowledge of the mothers interviewed. NVivo 11 (QSR International, 2016), a qualitative data analysis software package, was used to support data management and analysis. Data was analysed thematically, broadly using the approach suggested by Braun and Clarke (2006). Nodes and sub-nodes were created using a deductive approach. The transcripts were randomly allocated amongst the research group and applicable text coded into one or more nodes/sub-nodes. New nodes and subnodes were created for other text judged to be relevant to the experience of support for breastfeeding not covered by existing nodes. The coding was completed independently by each of the team and then merged.