Open AccessBackground: It is known that breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for the mothers and their babies. In this sense, “Promotion of Breast Milk and Baby Friendly Hospital” initiation was started in 1992 all over the world. Systematically trainings are provided at the baby friendly hospitals in order to promote breastfeeding and to continue breastfeeding behavior. However, the efficacy of the planned counseling services for breastfeeding provided following the birth at the baby friendly hospitals reduces due to the early discharge. The present research was conducted in order to determine the effect of counseling provided on the second post partum day through home visits on breastfeeding success.
Methods: Design: Randomized-controlled. The research was consisted of 100 women (intervention group=50, control group=50) who resided in Çorum Province, Turkey. Women of the intervention group were provided with trainings and counseling related to breastfeeding at the hospital after birth and at home following the discharge (on the second postpartum day). The data were collected using Descriptive Data Collection Form used to obtain information about mothers’ characteristics, Breastfeeding Evaluation Forms used to analyze the aspects about breastfeeding and LATCH Breastfeeding Charting System.
Results: The mean LATCH scores and LATCH subscale scores of the intervention group were higher on the second postpartum day than those in the control group. Moreover, the rate of babies fed only with breast milk by the women in the intervention group during the last 24 hours was higher than those in the control group. The difference between intervention and control group was significant in terms of breastfeeding success on the second postpartum day, in favor of intervention group (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Counseling given through home visits on the second postpartum day affected breastfeeding success positively.