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Exclusive breastfeeding to six months: Results from a randomised controlled trial including lactation consultant support
Author(s) -
Cameron Sonya Lynne,
Taylor Rachael W,
Gray Andrew R,
Taylor Barry J,
Heath AnneLouise M
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.lb345
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , psychological intervention , lactation , breast milk , randomized controlled trial , pediatrics , breast feeding , demography , family medicine , obstetrics , pregnancy , nursing , biochemistry , chemistry , sociology , biology , genetics
To investigate the impact of lactation support on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) to 6 months, 804 mother‐infant pairs were randomised to 4 equal‐sized groups: 1) breastfeeding education and support, 2) infant sleep education, 3) both interventions, or 4) usual care. Certified lactation consultants (LC) delivered intervention sessions (ante‐natal, 1 week, 4 months postpartum) and were available on request to 6 months postpartum. Data on breastfeeding status and age at introduction of formula, other liquids, or complementary foods were collected at monthly interviews from 3 to 27 weeks postpartum. Exclusive breastfeeding was: “since birth, the infant had no food or drink, not even water, except breast milk or prescribed medicines”. At 6 months, 764 (93%) participants had known EBF status with 7.2% exclusively breastfeeding. No group differences in EBF rates were observed at 6 weeks, 4 months or 5.5 months (New Zealand recommendation is “around” 6 months) but marginal evidence of differences was found at 6 months of age (Wald test p=0.038). After adjusting for multiple comparisons, these differences were no longer statistically significant. Providing an LC at this intensity did not consistently improve EBF rates to 6 months of age in this highly educated sample. Future analysis will determine the effect of an LC on duration of any breastfeeding and timing of introduction of complementary foods. Funding source: Health Research Council of New Zealand.