Clinical support can make the difference in exclusive breastfeeding success among working women

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding has generally been considered incompatible with working separated from the infant. This prospective, controlled intervention trial shows that breastfeeding support, including anticipatory counseling and monthly clinical follow-up of the mother and infant, can significantly increase the percentage of infants exclusively fed with breastmilk at the end of 6 months of life. Over 80 per cent of women from control and intervention groups expressed a desire to breastfeed for more than 6 months and more than 50 per cent thought it was best for the infant to be exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Only 6 per cent of women in the control group were able to complete 6 months of exclusive breastmilk feeding compared to 53 per cent of those in the intervention group. The most important difference between the strategies used by both groups of mothers for maintaining exclusive breastmilk feeding after returning to work was that only 23 per cent of the control group practiced milk expression compared to 66 per cent in the intervention group. All women from the supported group stated that they would advise a friend to combine exclusive breastfeeding and work and that they would like to do so again with another child.