The effectiveness of health promotion materials and activities on breastfeeding outcomes

AIM: To determine the effect of mothers receiving health promotion material and education antenatally and/or postnatally on breastfeeding outcomes in Perth, Western Australia.

METHODS: A 12-month longitudinal study was conducted in two public maternity hospitals in Perth, Western Australia, between 2002 and 2003. Data were collected on a consecutive sample 587 mothers.

RESULTS: The results showed that mothers who received an individual consultation or were involved in a discussion on breastfeeding antenatally with hospital staff were approximately 55% less likely to cease fully breastfeeding (HR 0.44; 95% CI 0.24-0.88) before 6 months, and 50% less likely to cease any breastfeeding before 12 months postnatally (HR 0.51; 95% CI 0.28-0.92). In the postnatal period, mothers who received instruction on positioning and attachment of the infant to the breast while in hospital were approximately 30% less likely to cease fully breastfeeding before 6 months (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.45-0.99).

CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest a positive association between receiving individualized breastfeeding information in both the antenatal and postnatal period, and breastfeeding outcomes.