Support system can boost breast-feeding rates

Having a strong support system in place for new mothers in the pediatrician’s office can encourage new mothers to breast-feed for the recommended 6-month period, according to study findings published online.

Sharon Corriveau, DNP, RN, of Loudoun Pediatric Associates, in Leesburg, Va., and colleagues recently studied the effect of introducing a breast-feeding–friendly protocol in their Virginia pediatric clinic.

“Pairing lactation consultant services with pediatric primary care fills a gap that exists for breastfeeding moms following hospital discharge,” Corriveau told Infectious Diseases in Children.

The researchers tracked 757 mother-infant pairs who received care at the clinic after the protocol was instituted. They used the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine clinical protocol as a template for the provision of breast-feeding services within a pediatric primary care clinic.

Corriveau collected data during the hospital stay, during the first newborn visit to the clinic, and at the 2-, 4- and 6-month health maintenance visits.

“The increase in the rate of exclusive breast-feeding from pre-intervention to post-intervention was statistically significant at all five time points,” the researchers wrote.

The researchers said future studies should “explore use of this protocol, inclusive of patient populations and/or regions known to have low breast-feeding rates, to help expand its use and address this important public health initiative.”

For more information:

Corriveau S. Pediatrics. 2013;doi:10.1542/peds.2012-1310.

Disclosure: Corriveau reports no relevant financial disclosures.

Sharon Corriveau, DNP, RN, can be reached at 2001 Lakeport Way, Reston, VA 20191; email: sharcorr@aol.com.