LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information

Journal Abstract and Review of the Month for August 2006

"The Effects of Peer Counselors on Breastfeeding Rates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial"

Authors: Anne Merewood, et al.

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006 July; 160:681-685.

Abstract:

Rates of breastfeeding premature babies are abysmally small, particularly among African-American mothers. This study attempted to determine whether the addition of peer counselors to the support team working with the mother of a premature infant in the hospital resulted in higher breastfeeding rates. Mothers who gave birth to preemies in a Baby-Friendly hospital in Boston who met the criteria for safe breastfeeding were given the opportunity to participate. A total of 108 mother/baby dyads were divided into two groups: the control group, which received the normal standard of care; and the intervention group, which received face-to-face contact from a peer counselor within 72 hours of birth and up to 6 weeks thereafter, either by phone or in person.

Results showed a phenomenal increase in the rate of breastfeeding (defined here as any breastmilk being given by any method) among the intervention group. At 12 weeks gestational age, when follow-up was completed, the data showed 181% more breastfeeding in the intervention group over the control group. Additionally, when the African-American mothers (which comprised nearly 70% of those participating) were considered separately, the rate of breastfeeding among the intervention group was 249% higher than that of the mothers in the control group. Even with concerns among the authors about the accuracy of self-reporting and the possibility of overreporting of breastfeeding, it is clear that peer counseling has a positive effect on breastfeeding rates.

This study highlights the genuine value of peer counseling programs among populations at high risk for not breastfeeding. There is no reason to believe these results cannot be extrapolated to postulate that peer counseling can benefit any mother with a desire to breastfeed. Indeed, it can make the difference between failure and success. It is a low-tech, low-cost intervention that is proven to yield amazing results.

This paper is categorized by the following keywords:

Peer counselors
Prematures
Preterms
Minority mothers
Mother to mother support

The full text of this article is available (for a fee) at:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/loansomedoc/loansome_home.html

Additional information on peer counseling can be found on the LLLI website at:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/ed/PeerAbout.html

http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVAugSep00p74.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/ed/PeerCourses.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVAugSep99p92.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVAprMay01p46.html