The effect of postnatal breastfeeding education/support offered at home 3 days after delivery on breastfeeding duration and knowledge: a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of breastfeeding education/support offered at home on day 3 postpartum on breastfeeding duration and knowledge.


METHODS
The study included a total of 60 women who gave birth at Zübeyde Hanım Maternity Hospital located in Aydın, Turkey. In addition to a standard breastfeeding education in the first few hours after delivery, which was provided to all women in this "baby-friendly initiative" (BFI) hospital, the mothers in the intervention group received breastfeeding education at home on day 3 postpartum from supporters.


RESULTS
Both groups were comparable in terms of maternal and neonatal characteristics. The breastfeeding education/support offered during a home visit on day 3 postpartum was associated with a significant increase in the percentage of exclusively breastfed infants both at 2 weeks and 6 weeks, and at 6 months, and was also associated with a significant increase in exclusive breastfeeding and in total breastfeeding duration. In addition, increased breastfeeding knowledge scores were observed in the intervention group at 2 weeks and at 6 weeks after delivery, when compared with the respective scores in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Breastfeeding education offered at home on day 3 postpartum was effective in increasing the breastfeeding duration and breastfeeding knowledge.
Aksu
Hilmiye
H
Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Department, Aydın School for Health Sciences, Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey.
Küçük
Mert
M
Düzgün
Gülergün
G
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult