Impact of early postnatal support by lactation consultant on breastfeeding outcomes in urban population: A prospective observational study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Early breastfeeding support helps in achieving exclusive breastfeeding by reducing the incidence of painful breast problems. A comparison of the impact of lactation counselling by lactation consultants and nursing staff would help to optimise care. Methods: In this prospective study conducted in the maternity ward of a private sector tertiary care hospital in an urban area, breastfeeding outcomes such as achievement of exclusive breastfeeding and incidence of painful breast problems such as sore nipples and breast engorgement as well as breastfeeding technique were compared between two groups of mother–newborn dyads receiving support from lactation consultants (study group) and maternity ward nursing staff (control group), respectively. Results: A total of 477 mother–newborn pairs were enrolled. Sixty-three out of 225 mothers (28%) in the study group complained of sore nipples as against 122 out of 252 mothers (48.4%) in the control group (odd ratio [OR] 0.414, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.282–0.607, P < 0.001). Breast engorgement was reported in 45 mothers (20%) in the study group and 117 mothers (46.4%) in the control group (OR 0.288, 95% CI 0.191–0.434, P < 0.001). Two hundred and three newborns (90.2%) from the study group were discharged on exclusive breastfeeding as compared to 149 newborns (59.1%) in the control group (OR 0.156, 95% CI 0.094–0.260, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Lactation consultants are significantly better than nursing staff at improving breastfeeding outcomes by providing trained support to optimise breastfeeding position and attachment, thereby preventing painful breast problems.