Pilot test of a home-based program to prevent perceived insufficient milk

Problem

Although the World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, only 22% of U.S. mothers do so. Mothers’ perceived insufficient milk (PIM) is the primary reason for breastfeeding discontinuation globally. There are two changeable causes of PIM: (1) mothers’ misinterpretation of their infant’s behavior, and (2) mothers’ lack of confidence in their ability to breastfeed.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effect of a home-based intervention designed to prevent and/or reduce PIM.

Methods

A mixed-methods, single-group, pretest-midtest-posttest design was used for evaluating a home-based breastfeeding program. The program was implemented during three 1.0- to 1.5-h home intervention sessions at 6, 13, and 27 days postpartum, delivered to 14 dyads of breastfeeding mothers and their full-term singleton infants.

Findings

We found significant increases over time in mothers’ sensitivity to infant behavior and breastfeeding self-efficacy as well as significant decreased attribution of infant crying to PIM. Exit interviews indicated that the program was accepted by participating mothers.

Discussion

This is the first intervention study that has directly targeted the causes of PIM. The home-based intervention has the potential to add to maternal competencies both in correctly assessing their infants’ behavior, thereby preventing erroneous attribution of infant behavior to PIM, as well as simultaneously bolstering maternal confidence in breastfeeding skills.

Conclusion

By building maternal competencies, the home-based intervention has a longer-range potential to prevent breastfeeding discontinuation. Further evaluation is warranted.