Effect of Breastfeeding Peer Counseling on Initiation and Duration of Breastfeeding among Adolescent Mothers

Abstract

A breastfeeding initiation rate of 75% is a goal established by Healthy People 2000. Adolescent mothers are among the least likely to breastfeed their infants, thereby reducing their chance of meeting this goal. Peer counseling is an effective way to correct misinformation and to encourage breastfeeding among adolescent mothers. This study tested the hypothesis that peer counseling increases the rate at which breastfeeding is initiated and maintained to 6 weeks postpartum among adolescent mothers. Fifty-eight pregnant adolescents were recruited from the Teen Mother and Child Program (TMCP) to participate in a prospective randomized intervention trial. Informed consent was obtained from all teens who were considering breastfeeding. Women were randomly assigned to either a peer counselor intervention group (n=29) or control group (n=29). Peer counselors (n=6) ranging in age from 17 to 24 were trained through the WIC Program. Intervention group participants met individually with peer counselors during a prenatal clinic visit and received education and support for breastfeeding. They were contacted by telephone at least weekly after the birth of their baby. Breastfeeding was initiated by 100% and 96% of the intervention and control participants respectively, and maintained to 6 weeks postpartum by 54% and 40% of intervention and control group participants, respectively. Overall, TMCP initiation rates of 86% were reported. Compared to TMCP data collected between 1991-1996 which reported a 70% initiation rate, these results suggest a 16% increase in overall initiation rate. Exclusive breastfeeding was practiced by 75% and 42% of intervention and control participants, (p<.01) at one week postpartum. No participants introduced solid food before 6 weeks of age. Although significant differences were not seen between the intervention and control groups, trends towards increased initiation and duration were observed. Significantly higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding were demonstrated by those young women who received peer counseling. Adolescents receiving peer counseling exceeded breastfeeding initiation rates established by Health People 2000 by 25%.