The Impact of Community Health Professional Contact Postpartum on Breastfeeding at 3 Months: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of any health professional contact and the types of contact new mothers received in the first 10 days post-discharge on breastfeeding rates at 3 months. This cross-sectional retrospective self-report survey was distributed to women who birthed in Queensland, Australia between 1st February and 31st May 2010 at 4-5 months postpartum. Data were collected on pregnancy, birth, postpartum care and infant feeding. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between health professional contact and breastfeeding at 3 months. Data were analysed by birthing facility sector because of significant differences between sectors in health professional contact. The study cohort consisted of 6,852 women. Women in the public sector were more likely to be visited at home than women birthing in the private sector. Any health professional contact (AOR 1.65 99 % CI 0.98-2.76 public sector, AOR 0.78 99 % CI 0.59-1.03 private sector) and home visits (AOR 1.50 99 % CI 0.89-2.54 public sector, AOR 0.80 99 % CI 0.46-1.39 private sector) were not associated with breastfeeding at 3 months in either sector. A telephone call (AOR 2.07 99 % CI 1.06-4.03) or visit to a general practitioner (GP) (AOR 1.83 99 % CI 1.04-3.21) increased the odds of breastfeeding in public sector women. Health professional contact or home visiting in the first 10 days post-discharge did not have a significant impact on breastfeeding rates at 3 months. Post-discharge telephone contact for all women and opportunities for self-initiated clinic visits for women assessed to be at higher risk of ceasing breastfeeding may be the most effective care.

Australian general practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards breastfeeding

“…In Australia, the national Infant Feeding Guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding until around 6 months of age when solid foods are introduced, and continued breastfeeding until 12 months and beyond [ 7 ]. While the rates of breastfeeding in Australia at discharge from hospital are high and rising, from 87% in 2001 to 95.9% in 2010 [ 35 , 36 ], there is a substantial decline in breastfeeding rates in the following weeks and months. In 2010, breastfeeding rates dropped to 75% at 2 months, to 69% at 4 months and to 42.2% at 7–12 months.…”

Mother, baby and Facebook makes three: does social media provide social support for new mothers?

“…Institutionally directed forms of social support for new mothers have taken a variety of forms, including telephone interventions, automated text messages, self-initiated clinic visits, national helplines and face-to-face gatherings to facilitate peer-to-peer connections (Biggs et al, 2015; Brodribb and Miller, 2013; Gallegos et al, 2014). In Western Australia, participation in local playgroups was found to be associated with higher social capital and offered increased social connection (Strange et al, 2017).…”

Ethics of Care and Urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Breastfeeding beyond Three Months

“…A recent Queensland study, however, concluded that health professional contact or home visits in the first ten days post-discharge had no significant impact on breastfeeding at three months [43]. The authors acknowledged that there may be other benefits of health professional contact which they did not assess.…”