Introduction: The impact of giving an infant food other than breast milk depends on several factors. Evidence to date supports the recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
The aim of the this study was to evaluate the effect of a process-oriented training in support during childbirth and breastfeeding for midwives and postnatal nurses in relation to the time of initial breastfeeding session, introduction of breast milk substitute and solids effects on the duration of breastfeeding.
Materials and methods: Ten municipalities in Sweden were randomized to either intervention (IG) or control groups (CGA and CGB). The intervention included a process-oriented training program* for midwives and postnatal nurses in the intervention municipalities. Primiparas (n=540) who were living at either site were asked to respond to questionnaires at three days, three and nine months postpartum. Data collection for mothers in CGA (n=162) started before effects of the intervention could be studied, CGB (n=172) was collected simultaneously with the IG (n=206).
Results: Preliminary results showed that fewer infants in the IG received breast milk substitute (the first week of life) without medical reasons (p=0.01) and were older (3.8 months) when breast milk substitute was introduced after discharge compared with the infants in the control groups (CGA 2.3 months p= 0.01 and CGB 2.5 months p= 0.03).
Discussion and Conclusion: A process-oriented training program for midwives and postnatal nurses (by changed attitudes among health staff and changing mothers self imaging) reduced the number of infants who got breastmilk substitute during the first week without medical reasons and delayed the introduction of breast milk substitute after the first week.