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Effect of intervention to improve breastfeeding technique on the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding and lactation-related problems.

de Oliveira LD, Giugliani ER, do Espírito Santo LC, França MC, Weigert EM, Kohler CV, de Lourenzi Bonilha AL

Faculdade de Nutrição da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

This randomized clinical trial compared frequencies of exclusive breastfeeding and lactation-related problems during the first 30 days among 74 mothers who received a 30-minute counseling session on breastfeeding technique in the maternity ward, and 137 controls. The frequency of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers who had received intervention was similar to controls by 7 days (79.7% vs 82.5%, respectively) and 30 days (60.8% vs 53.3%). There was no difference between groups in the frequency of sore nipples at 7 and 30 days, in breast engorgement and mastitis, and in the quality of breastfeeding technique at 30 days. Therefore, a single intervention at maternity was not sufficient to improve breastfeeding technique, increase exclusive breastfeeding rates, and reduce the incidence of breastfeeding problems during the first month.

Published 3 August 2006 in J Hum Lact, 22(3): 315-21.
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