An Assessment of the Impact of Breastfeeding Clinic Attendance on Women's Breastfeeding Experiences

Abstract

Breastfeeding clinics aim to increase breastfeeding duration and diminish breastfeeding difficulties. Actual improvement in the duration and satisfaction of the breastfeeding experience for women using these clinics remains unknown. This observational study assessed the impact of a Québec City breastfeeding clinic's interventions on breastfeeding duration and satisfaction among women experiencing breastfeeding difficulties in comparison with women who did not receive clinic services. The study surveyed 86 women using telephone questionnaires and semistructured interviews. After adjusted logistic regression analysis, women who attended the clinic had a higher probability of breastfeeding for at least 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 4.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35-13.96) than women from the comparison group. They also had a higher probability of being satisfied with their breastfeeding experience (OR = 4.17; 95% CI = 1.31-13.22). Physical and moral support could explain this influence. Larger studies on breastfeeding clinics are needed to confirm their role in enhancing breastfeeding duration and satisfaction.