Lactation Consultant Interventions effective for promoting and supporting breastfeeding: JAMA

Researchers have found in a new study that Lactation consultant interventions significantly improve both exclusive breastfeeding and overall breastfeeding rates. The findings of the study have been published in JAMA.

By providing education, hands-on support, and problem-solving strategies, lactation consultants help mothers overcome challenges such as latching difficulties, low milk supply, and breastfeeding pain.

Their guidance leads to increased breastfeeding duration and adherence to exclusive breastfeeding recommendations, benefiting both maternal and infant health.Breast milk offers numerous health benefits, yet breastfeeding recommendations are met less than half of the time in high-income countries. A study was done to evaluate the effect of lactation consultant (LC) interventions on breastfeeding, maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy, and infant growth compared to usual care. Data extracted included study design, participant and intervention characteristics, and outcome data.

To account for studies that reported outcomes at multiple time points, effect estimates were pooled with 3-level correlated and hierarchical effects models. Meta-regression was performed for clinically important characteristics, such as the time point when the outcome was measured, intervention intensity, and participant income. The primary outcome was stopping exclusive breastfeeding. Secondary outcomes included stopping any breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding and any breastfeeding duration, maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy, infant overweight and obesity, and infant growth.

Results The search yielded 6476 records, of which 40 studies were included involving 8582 participants. Studies were published between 1992 and 2024, and most studies (n = 22) were conducted in the US. Compared to usual care, LC interventions reduced the risk of stopping exclusive breastfeeding (risk ratio [RR], 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99) and any breastfeeding (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87-0.96) and increased any breastfeeding duration by 3.63 weeks (95% CI, 0.13-7.12). There was weak evidence that LC interventions increased exclusive breastfeeding duration (mean difference [MD], 1.44 weeks; 95% CI, −2.73 to 5.60), maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy (MD, 2.83; 95% CI, −1.23 to 6.90), or the risk of infant overweight and obesity (RR, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.94-2.46). Meta-regression showed that LC interventions were more effective at reducing the risk for stopping exclusive breastfeeding (P = .01) and any breastfeeding (P < .001) the earlier that breastfeeding was measured in the postpartum period. LC interventions with a higher intensity (ie, number of LC visits) were more effective at reducing the risk for stopping any breastfeeding (P = .04).

According to the results of this systematic review and meta-analysis, LC interventions are a promising intervention for improving exclusive breastfeeding and any breastfeeding in high-income countries.