An IBCLC in the Maternity Ward of a Mother and Child Hospital: A Pre- and Post-Intervention Study

Antonella Chiurco, Marcella Montico, Pierpaolo Brovedani, Lorenzo Monasta and Riccardo Davanzo
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Antonella Chiurco: Division of Neonatology and NICU, Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, TS-34137, Italy
Marcella Montico: Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health Research Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, TS-34137, Italy
Pierpaolo Brovedani: Division of Neonatology and NICU, Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, TS-34137, Italy
Lorenzo Monasta: Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health Research Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, TS-34137, Italy
Riccardo Davanzo: Division of Neonatology and NICU, Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, TS-34137, Italy

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: Published evidence on the impact of the integration of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) for breastfeeding promotion is growing, but still relatively limited. Our study aims at evaluating the effects of adding an IBCLC for breastfeeding support in a mother and child hospital environment. We conducted a prospective study in the maternity ward of our maternal and child health Institute, recruiting 402 mothers of healthy term newborns soon after birth. The 18-month intervention of the IBCLC (Phase II) was preceded (Phase I) by data collection on breastfeeding rates and factors related to breastfeeding, both at hospital discharge and two weeks later. Data collection was replicated just before the end of the intervention (Phase III). In Phase III, a significantly higher percentage of mothers: (a) received help to breastfeed, and also received correct information on breastfeeding and community support, (b) started breastfeeding within two hours from delivery, (c) reported a good experience with the hospital staff. Moreover, the frequency of sore and/or cracked nipples was significantly lower in Phase III. However, no difference was found in exclusive breastfeeding rates at hospital discharge or at two weeks after birth.

Keywords: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant; breastfeeding promotion; mother and child hospital (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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