Abstract
The objective of this pilot study was to compare two different methods of educating prenatal women regarding breast-feeding. Comparisons were made between traditional and innovative methods to determine which was more effective in increasing breastfeeding duration. Over a 32 month period, 197 prenatal women were assigned to either a control (C, n = 139) or an experimental (E, n = 51) group. The C group received standard breastfeeding education, while the E group received standard education in addition to information about infant hunger cues. Cox Regression and Kap-lan- Meier analysis were performed. Estimated mean number of weeks for C and E groups to continue breastfeeding was 14.3 + 17.4 weeks and 18.5 + 17.1 weeks, respectively. At 26 weeks, duration of breastfeeding approached significance (chi square = 2.907, df = 1, p = 0.088), indicating probability of continuing to breastfeed was about 28% better for those in E group when compared to C group. Duration of breastfeeding may increase when prenatal women are taught to identify infant behavior such as hunger cues.
Highlights
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that the optimal way to feed an infant is to breastfeed for the first year of life [1]
Numerous studies have suggested a positive correlation between International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) use and breastfeeding duration, few studies have explored the expertise of IBCLC along with the efficacy of various teaching strategies designed to improve breastfeeding duration
The hypothesis of this study was that discussing infant feeding cues and behaviors with a registered dietitian (RD) + IBCLC will increase breastfeeding duration of mothers
Summary
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that the optimal way to feed an infant is to breastfeed for the first year of life [1]. Similar recommendations have been made by the American Dietetic Association [2] and the World Health Organization [3]. An objective of Healthy People 2010 was to increase the proportion of new mothers initiating breastfeeding of infants from 64% to 75% [4]. Found between 2004 and 2006, 67% of mothers participating in the Women, Infant and Children Special Supplemental Feeding Program (WIC) initiated breastfeeding. Initiation of breastfeeding approached the national goal of 75%, the rate at 6 months was 21%, which was far below the desired Healthy People 2010 goal [5]
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