Simple antenatal preparation to improve breastfeeding practice: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To address the impact of simple antenatal educational interventions on breastfeeding practice.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was carried out in a tertiary referral center from May 2002 to December 2004. A random sample of eligible low-risk antenatal patients was recruited from clinics in the National University Hospital, Singapore. Group A received breastfeeding educational material and individual coaching from a lactation counselor. Group B received breastfeeding educational material with no counseling. Group C received routine antenatal care only.


RESULTS
A total of 401 women were recruited. Mothers receiving individual counseling and educational material practiced exclusive and predominant breastfeeding more often than mothers receiving routine care alone at 3 months (odds ratio [OR] 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-5.4) and 6 months (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.0-5.7) postpartum. More mothers practiced exclusive and predominant breastfeeding at 6 months among women receiving individual counseling compared with women exposed to educational material alone (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0-6.3).


CONCLUSIONS
Where breastfeeding practices are suboptimal, simple one-encounter antenatal education and counseling significantly improve breastfeeding practice up to 3 months after delivery. Provision of printed or audiovisual educational material is not enough. Health care workers should make every effort to have one face-to-face encounter to discuss breastfeeding with expectant mothers before they deliver.


BACKGROUND
(www.ClinicalTrials.gov), NCT002770192


METHODS
I.
Mattar
Citra Nurfarah
CN
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, Singapore.
Chong
Yap-Seng
YS
Chan
Yah-Shih
YS
Chew
Annabel
A
Tan
Petrina
P
Chan
Yiong-Huak
YH
Rauff
Mary How-Jing
MH
D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors