Investigating the effect of breastfeeding counselling based on Latch, Position and Information-Motivation-Behavior Model on maternal and neonatal indices: A clinical trial

Abstract

objectives This study compares the impact of breastfeeding counselling based on the Information-Motivation-Behavior model (IMB) with routine counselling at the breastfeeding counselling center on certain health indices of mothers and their infants. Methods The present study is a clinical trial using a convenient sampling method conducted randomly on the referred mothers and their infants. Participants were allocated into two groups "routine counseling at the breastfeeding counseling center" and "breastfeeding counseling based on the Information-Motivation-Behavior Model" (59 mothers and their infants in each group). Demographic information, WHO breastfeeding observation form, latch assessment form, infant weight, maternal body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and postpartum depression questionnaire were filled. Outcomes were reassessed at 2, 4, and 6 months of children’s age for both groups. The infant behaviour questionnaire was completed only at 6 months. Results There was no significant difference in demographic variables between the two groups (p > 0.05). In both the routine and intervention groups, maternal blood pressure showed statistically significant changes over time (p < 0.05). In the intervention group, there were significant differences in postpartum depression scores (p < 0.05), maternal BMI (p < 0.05), infant weight scores (p < 0.05), latch assessment scores (p < 0.05), and total score of the WHO breastfeeding observation form (p < 0.05) compared to the routine counselling group. There was no significant statistical difference in infant behaviour scores between the routine and intervention groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Application of counselling with the IMB model can motivate correct breastfeeding behaviours and improve maternal and infant health indices Trial registration This trial is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial with the identifier IRCT20170611034452N15 (registration date 20230428)